Film Critic Erin Brockovich (Movie Review Sample)

Film Critic: "Erin Brockovich”
Name
Institution
Abstract
Primarily, this paper reviews a movie called "Erin Brockovich." The review is unique in its approach and uses a research design perspective to analyze the movie. In essence, the paper analyzes different nursing research concepts as evident in the film. First, the essay handles data gathering techniques used by characters and finds that researchers collected primary and secondary data using face-to-face interviews and document analysis. Also, the essay covers needs assessment techniques used by researchers in the film. The subsequent section is a discussion on ways in which needs assessment exposed characteristics of variables, such as distribution, prevalence, and interrelation. Finally, this paper handles ethical implications of the researchers’ actions in the film.
Film Critic: "Erin Brockovich”
Introduction
Research is a systematic enquiry that aims at providing information to solve problems. In essence, research involves carrying out a diligent enquiry or critical examination of a given phenomenon and follows some logical sequence. After a research, society arrives at dependable solutions to problems through a planned and systematic collection, analysis, and interpretation of data (Tobey, 2005). As a systematic process, research follows a predetermined outline that begins with understanding needs and gaps, data collection, needs analysis, data analysis, interpretation, and presentation of research findings. Research is either qualitative or quantitative. Survey research is one type of quantitative research design. Here, researcher uses techniques and measures that produce numerical and quantifiable data (Oliver, 2010).
Methods used by Researchers to gather Data
Primarily, the character who does most of the data collection is Erin. First, Erin collects both primary and secondary data. Initially, she finds medical records in the files and visits Donna in person. Here, she uses unstructured interviews and asks Donna about her health and PG&E’s aid (Soderbergh & Danny, 2000). Erin’s interview goes further to ask Donna why PG&E would provide a doctor at their own expense. Besides, Erin interviews several residents of Hinkley and gets their opinion about water contamination. The interview with residents further makes Erin to win their trust as far as the case is concerned. Unstructured interviews are when the researcher approaches the respondent with no pre-determined set of questions. The researcher asks questions depending on the respondent’s previous response, which allows participants to explore the subject even more.
Moreover, Erin gathers secondary data from the company’s files and documents relating to the case. She does a lot of research on the documents to uncover medical records and their details. In particular, Erin meets a former PG&E’s employee who gives her a document that shows the company’s headquarters knew the water was contaminated. Secondary data are equally significant because they are records that show historical events and back up the research.
How the Researcher conducted Needs Assessment
In research, needs assessment is the process with which a researcher determines and addresses gaps that exist between the current and expected situation (Tobey, 2005). Usually, the researcher seeks to achieve a wanted condition, but the present condition has obstacles that stand the researcher’s way. The needs assessment technique used by Erin is quite unique. On a research perspective, Erin uses several needs assessment techniques, which are the existing data approach, key informant approach, and to an extent, the community forum. First, the existing data approach is where researcher focuses on an already existing data and gain insight on people’s well-being. Here, Erin studies PG&E’s real estate files to ascertain people’s medical records. Existing data provides undisputed information already owned by the company.
Additionally, Erin uses the key informant approach. This approach is where the researcher identifies knowledgeable persons most convenient to provide data. The key informant identifies priority concerns and needs of the community. In her research, Erin identifies Donna as a key informant and uses her as a means to bridge the information gap between the current and expected situation (Soderbergh & Danny, 2000). Another key informant is the person who gives her PG&E’s previous memo that simplifies the case. Finally, Erin uses community forum to conduct needs assessment. Ordinarily, a community forum is where the researcher organizes public meetings. Nevertheless, Erin uses a different approach and convinces community members in person. When Ed rehires Erin, she visits many residents and wins their trust.
How the Needs Assessment obtained information about prevalence, distribution, and interrelation of variables
Evidently, the needs assessment gave the researchers in this film sufficient information on the prevalence, distribution, and interrelation of variables. For some time, PG&E made residents believe that they used water that contained safe chromium. The needs assessment worked in a simple way. On one end is the researcher with sympathy for residents and their ailing conditions. On the other hand is PG&E that provides contaminated water and fails to compensate residents for their health failures. The court system separates the two parties and Erin must gather sufficient proof to make PG&E release compensation. First, Erin exposes the prevalence of water contamination as she finds several cases of medical problems in her personal interviews. It is notable that many Hinkley residents suffer tumors and other medical conditions caused by the ‘safe chromi...