Erin Brockovich Film Critique

The research that was presented in the film was conducted after Erin Brockovich found out that the water contaminated by PG and E in the area of data collection is the reason for an elevated risk of severe health-related issues. To prove that people who live in the area where the contamination has occurred need to be compensated for the medical costs by the company, Erin has researched the biohazard created by PG and E corporal. As a result of the investigation, Erin Brockovich has insured every single one of her clients will be compensated appropriately.

The Type of the Research

The research conducted by Erin Brockovich is a quantitative study.

Get quality help now

Doctor Jennifer

Verified

Proficient in: Erin Brockovich

5 (893)

“ Thank you so much for accepting my assignment the night before it was due. I look forward to working with you moving forward ”

+84 relevant experts are online

Hire writer

The data that was collected in the film was both types of research unbiased and subjectively valid, as per the requirement of the study design (Anjani, 2015). The medical state of the subjects that were used in the research was examined by an unbiased physician that was not a part of the research.

Water samples were collected by the researcher and examined in an unbiased laboratory. A big part of the quantitative study is the fact that participant collection can be continued during the research and is finished only in the case of result satisfaction (Anjani, 2015). In the film, Erin has used snowball sampling of her subjects. This method of collecting subjects is working toward finding more patients of interest through the participant that already have agreed to be a part of the research (Sheu, Wei, Chen, Yu & Tang, 2009). Snowball sampling can be used in the case of a quantitative study. This study is not experimental, as no intervention is pursued (Anjani, 2015). Moreover, the study is a retrospective study that is trying to find a correlation between the two factors (Anjani, 2015).

The Type of Data Collection

The data was collected through the subject of researcher interaction, and therefore, it was the primary data collection (Anand, 2014). The structure of data collection was a semi-structured interview. Erin was acquiring knowledge about their medical records through a topical interview-styled conversation (Anand, 2014).

Data was also collected from the public water records to provide evidence that hexagonal chromium was found in the water that surrounded Hinckley. The inclusion criteria for water records was the area of research and the included mention of hexagon chromium levels in the water. On the other hand, the exclusive criteria were data that was collected more than 20 years ago as it could not be used in the case.

Additional data was collected to show that hexagonal chromium has emerged from the pond that was built by PG and E. Firstly, a written and signed statement from one of the workers from the construction of the waste ponds in PG and E was obtained after a non-structured interview. Next, water from the ponds that were examined by an unbiased laboratory to find the suggested levels of hexagonal chromium in the waste produced by PG and E. Lastly, soil samples from Hinckley were examined by an unbiased laboratory to provide further evidence that the contaminated water is still an issue in this area. Lastly, a written and signed statement about records that connect the main office and issues with hexagonal chromium from one of the workers on PG and E was obtained after a non-structured interview. This was the last argument that suggested the need for a lawsuit against the company for creating a hazard that causes an extremely elevated risk of acquiring severe medical illnesses.

PICOT

Population and Intervention

The subjects that were included in the research were all affected by the contaminated hexagonal chromium waters. Therefore, the inclusion criteria for subjects in this research were ‘living in a one-mile radius to the PG and E-waste ponds’ and ‘acquiring medical issues that can be caused by chromium-6 intoxication’. The one-mile radius to the PG and E-waste ponds was suggested by the data provided by the public water records. ​

​The intervention suggested in the research was providing a fair amount of money that will cover all expenses that are needed for diminishing the consequences of the PG and E biohazard situation. These expenses needed to include all pay-off of current medical debts, all the additional health care costs that will be needed to undo the harm created by chromium poisoning, and medical treatment that is needed in the future for both the subjects of the research and their offsprings. The last part has been included due to the found evidence that chromium-6 or hexagonal chromium can cause severe medical issues in the next generation of people. Moreover, the money provided by PG and E will be needed to buy a new home that will be not contaminated by chromium-6.

Contrary and Outcome

During the investigation, Erin Brockovich estimated that people at Hinckley have a higher chance of acquiring any type of cancer, a lower chance of pregnancy, a higher chance of having a miscarriage, chronic fatigue, chronic IBS, and other severe medical issues. As a result of the study conducted by Erin Brockovich, the people in Hinckley were given an appropriate amount of money, that will cover the expenses that were listed in the intervention section of the paper.

Ethical Implications

​Erin Brockovich was following the ethical principle of beneficence. From the beginning to the end of the research, the main goal of the researcher was to provide the best outcome for the research subjects. By collecting evidence about their medical records, taking soil and water samples, and investigating the PG and E corporate culture, Erin was looking for a way to give the people a chance to have a better future and justice. It is important to mention that Erin has obtained written and signed consent of using their medical records in the research. Yet, in some cases, some medical records were disclosed to her family members, colleagues, and layers, which cannot be done in this setting.

​The main purpose of the research that was presented in the film was to show that the subjects that acquired medical issues as per the illegal actions of PG and E need to be compensated appropriately. The study conducted was a quantitative retrospective study. The subjects were found using snowball sampling, and the data from.