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Do virtual mock trials produce valid results?
We have spent over 35 years investigating and making adjustments to the research methodology used in conventional (“live”) mock trials with the objectives of evaluating and maximizing their ability to predict actual trial outcomes (Speckart, 2008, 2010). The fundamental principles underlying these...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— May 2021 — 48 views Exploratory research Focus groups Litigation psychology Mock trials Research


Myth #5: All mock trials are the same
In a prior myth , I dispelled the notion that it is too expensive to use a Litigation Consultant. For my next entry in the  Myths of Litigation Science, I turn my attention toward the decision that clients have to make after deciding to engage a Litigation Consultant – price. This can be a  se...
Steve Wood, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— May 2021 — 108 views Confirmatory research Focus groups Litigation psychology Mock trials Research Scientific method Trial consulting


Is fear of science costing your firm? - part 2
In the first part of this topic , we introduced the role of science and prediction in litigation and an overview of the jury research industry. In part two, we examine the importance of predictive validity and how it is achieved to provide actionable insight. * * *   * * Establishing Qualificati...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— March 2021 — 223 views Confirmatory research Exploratory research Focus groups Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Research Scientific method Trial consulting


Is fear of science costing your firm? - part 1
After spending thirty years working with trial teams, the same types of questions seem to continually surface: “How much will a jury award?”  “Will this theme be persuasive?”  “What kinds of jurors will be most receptive to my case?”  Scrutiny of the underlying factual issues underlying these ques...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— March 2021 — 221 views Confirmatory research Exploratory research Focus groups Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Research Scientific method Trial consulting


Alternative exploratory research designs in litigation - part 3
In part 1 of this topic , we introduced the concept of alternative formats for Exploratory Research and detailed the specifics of a traditional Focus Group. In part 2 , we described two alternate Focus Group designs: Graphics Research and Juror Profile Research. In this final section, we explain...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— March 2021 — 220 views Exploratory research Focus groups Jurors Litigation psychology Mock trials Presentations Research Scientific method Trial consulting Witness training


Alternative exploratory research designs in litigation - part 2
In part 1 of this topic , we introduced the concept of alternative formats for Exploratory Research or “different types of Focus Groups” and detailed the specifics of a traditional Focus Group. In part 2, we describe two alternate Focus Group designs: Graphics Research and Juror Profile Research....
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— February 2021 — 242 views Exploratory research Focus groups Litigation psychology Mock trials Research Scientific method Trial consulting


Alternative exploratory research designs in litigation - part 1
Pre-trial or “jury research” is sometimes bifurcated into two categories , the first being Exploratory Research – projects designed to initially “see what’s out there,” investigate the substantive terrain of a case, and find out “what sticks” thematically in terms of case arguments, issues, and e...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— February 2021 — 243 views Exploratory research Focus groups Litigation psychology Research Scientific method Trial consulting


The Litigation Psychology Podcast #51 - Attorney demeanor
In this week’s podcast, trial attorneys Paul Motz, Shareholder, Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney and Matt Moffett, Partner, Gray, Rust, St. Amand, Moffett & Brieske, LLP, join CSI Litigation Consultants Dr. Steve Wood and Dr. Bill Kanasky to discuss the topic of attorney credibility and attorney...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— January 2021 — 561 views Anti-reptile Confirmatory research Depositions Exploratory research Focus groups Insurance defense Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Nuclear verdicts Reptile Research Trial consulting Witness training


Jury selection in intellectual property cases - part 1
Introduction In the early days of patent litigation – when real inventors were suing corporations ( Kearns v. Ford Motor Company ) or corporations were suing each other ( Procter & Gamble v. Kimberly Clark , a.k.a “diaper wars” or Dow v. Exxon Chemical ) -- the scientific approach that was taken i...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— December 2020 — 464 views Focus groups Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Research Scientific method


The Litigation Psychology Podcast #47 - Toxic tort cases
Rick Braun, Partner in the Detroit office of Hawkins Parnell and Young, LLP talks with CSI Litigation Consultant Dr. Steve Wood about toxic tort cases, how the media portrays these types of cases and how these portrayals impact defending toxic tort cases. They discuss the influence of pop culture,...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— November 2020 — 562 views Focus groups Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Planning Reptile Trial consulting Witness training


The Litigation Psychology Podcast #45 - Nuclear verdicts
CSI Litigation Consultant Dr. Steve Wood joins the podcast to discuss the causes of nuclear verdicts and the myth of social inflation. Dr. Wood and Dr. Kanasky explain the psychology behind the concept of social inflation and why it is being promoted so much. They also talk about how you can leve...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— November 2020 — 582 views Focus groups Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Nuclear verdicts Trial consulting Witness training


Best practices in case research - part II
In the first part of this topic , we provided a primer on juror psychology and introduced the first three factors affecting juror case evaluations. In the final part of this topic, we continue the factors affecting juror case evaluations and discuss the importance of research in evaluating a case...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— October 2020 — 705 views Confirmatory research Exploratory research Focus groups Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Presentations Research Trial consulting


Addressing the challenges of healthcare litigation
It's no secret that the healthcare industry has a high volume of litigation. So, what can healthcare companies and healthcare insurers do to better prepare to d efend themselves in their litigation? Our multi-part series on the healthcare industry covers a variety of tools and services that health...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— September 2020 — 927 views Anti-reptile Confirmatory research Depositions Exploratory research Focus groups Health care / med mal Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Reptile Research Scientific method Trial consulting Witness training


Assessing your litigation risk
At the start of any litigation, there are more questions than answers. Everyone involved wants to know "what's our liability?", "what's this going to cost us?", "how will this impact our reputation?", "what are the potential damages?", "how long will this go on?", "who might need to testify?", and...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— September 2020 — 909 views Enterprise risk management Exploratory research Focus groups Litigation psychology Research Scientific method


The Nuclear Verdict blog series
In the first 3 parts of our nuclear verdicts series, we covered an overview of the definition of a nuclear verdict, some historical context, and the five causative factors of nuclear verdicts. In part 4 , we outlined specific examples of how a scientific approach to litigation research has result...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. & Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D.
— August 2020 — 972 views Anti-reptile Confirmatory research Exploratory research Focus groups Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Nuclear verdicts Reptile Research Scientific method Trial consulting Witness training


The Nuclear Verdict blog series
In the first 3 parts of our nuclear verdicts series, we covered an overview of the definition of a nuclear verdict, some historical context, and the five causative factors of nuclear verdicts. In part 4, we outline – with specific examples - how a scientific approach to litigation research has res...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. & Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D.
— August 2020 — 1043 views Confirmatory research Exploratory research Focus groups Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Nuclear verdicts Research Scientific method Trial consulting Witness training


The Litigation Psychology Podcast - Episode 21
This video episode of The Litigation Psychology Podcast features two guests: Matthew Moffett, Partner with Gray, Rust, St. Amand, Moffett & Brieske, LLP and Dr. Lorie Sicafuse, CSI Litigation Consultant. Matt and Lorie join Dr. Bill Kanasky to discuss virtual depositions, the exposure that is bein...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— June 2020 — 1614 views Confirmatory research COVID-19 Exploratory research Focus groups Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Reptile Research Scientific method Trial consulting Witness training


Transportation and trucking litigation
The transportation and trucking industry has historically been an easy target for litigation. So, how can trucking and transportation companies better prepare to defend themselves for inevitable litigation? Our multi-part series on the trucking and transportation industry explains how companies ca...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— May 2020 — 1996 views Anti-reptile Confirmatory research Depositions Exploratory research Focus groups Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Reptile Research Scientific method Trial consulting Trucking & transportation Witness training


The Litigation Psychology Podcast - Episode 6
The Litigation Psychology Podcast, presented by Courtroom Sciences, Inc. (CSI) presents Episode 6! Today's episode is all about the myths of litigation psychology and litigation consulting. Dr. Bill Kanasky is joined by Dr. Steve Wood and together they discuss and address a number of commonly held...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— April 2020 — 1722 views Confirmatory research Depositions Exploratory research Focus groups Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Research Trial consulting Witness training


The Litigation Psychology Podcast - Episode 4
The  Litigation Psychology Podcast , presented by Courtroom Sciences, Inc. (CSI) is pleased to share Episode 4! This episode continues our series of podcasts on nuclear verdicts. In this episode, Dr. Bill Kanasky, CSI Litigation Consultant is joined by defense attorney and author Robert R. Tyson, ...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— April 2020 — 2295 views Anti-reptile Depositions Enterprise risk management Focus groups Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Nuclear verdicts Reptile Trial consulting Witness training