A database model for studies of cocaine-dependent pregnant women and their families

The database management functions for the Mothers Project are arranged into administrative and analytic task groups, and separate systems are devised for each. The task groups can be distinguished not only by differences in data structure but also by interface requirements. The administrative database system uses a relational database technology, whereas the analytic database system employs more traditional flat-file methods. Although the database management systems are complex, they are based on standard database practices, used in widely available software packages, and run on inexpensive desktop computing equipment.