The CSI Blog

Critical Communications    |    Records & Depositions    |    Litigation Psychology


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 — 51 views Exploratory research Focus groups Litigation psychology Mock trials Research


A closer look at real-time feedback devices
Every so often, a client will ask us about usage of hand-held feedback devices, often called Perception Analyzers or “moment-to-moment” data collection systems, for utilization in jury research projects. Being trained researchers at heart, we have conducted extensive research on these devices and ...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— April 2021 — 122 views Confirmatory research Exploratory research Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Research Scientific method Trial consulting


Litigation Psychology Podcast #65 - Inspired by Kanye
Brent Turman, Partner and Trial Attorney with Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP in Dallas, TX, joins the podcast to talk about how attorneys can draw inspiration from Kanye West in their approach to litigation. Brent uses milestones in Kanye's life and career to illustrate opportunities for litigators in...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— April 2021 — 301 views Communications Jurors Litigation psychology Planning Presentations 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 — 224 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 — 243 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 — 244 views Exploratory research Focus groups Litigation psychology Research Scientific method Trial consulting


Litigation Psychology Podcast #57 - Storytelling in litigation
Trial attorney Brent A. Turman from Dallas firm Bell Nunnally & Martin, LLP joins the podcast to discuss the value and impact of storytelling in litigation. Brent has a fascinating background that has helped him develop his storytelling skills, which he applies to cases he works on. Brent worked o...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— February 2021 — 358 views Jurors Planning Presentations


Litigation Psychology Podcast #55 - Managing witness mental health
Trucking defense attorney Mike Bassett joins the podcast to discuss the steps that he takes before he begins working with a witness: establishing trust, understanding their backstory, addressing their concerns and questions and establishing their state of mind. Without the proper pre-preparation, ...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— February 2021 — 377 views COVID-19 Depositions Litigation psychology Mental health Planning Trucking & transportation Witness training


Litigation Psychology Podcast #54 - Mental health in litigation
Trucking defense attorney Mark Perkins shares his personal experience with mental health and how he handles and addresses it. Mark and Bill Kanasky, Ph.D. talk about the ways the legal industry has, and has not, addressed mental health issues. They also discuss how the personal struggles that witn...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— January 2021 — 526 views COVID-19 Depositions Litigation psychology Mental health Planning Trucking & transportation Witness training


The Litigation Psychology Podcast #53 - Mental health & trucking litigation
Our focus on mental health issues in litigation continues with trucking attorney Larry Hall, Shareholder with Sandberg Phoenix law firm in St. Louis, MO. Larry is the head of the transportation group and has extensive experience in trucking litigation. Larry and Dr. Bill Kanasky discuss the histor...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— January 2021 — 481 views COVID-19 Depositions Litigation psychology Mental health Planning Trucking & transportation Witness training


The Litigation Psychology Podcast #52 - Mental health of witnesses
In this episode of The Litigation Psychology Podcast, Bill Kanasky, Ph.D. and Alyssa Parker, Ph.D. discuss the sensitive but hugely important topic of mental health. Mental health has always been a factor in litigation but since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, it has become broader and more...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— January 2021 — 445 views Anti-reptile COVID-19 Depositions Health care / med mal Litigation psychology Mental health Reptile Trial consulting Witness training


Litigation trends in 2021 - part 1
If 2020 taught us anything, it is that making predictions about the future is foolhardy. Though the unexpected is likely to be woven into every aspect of our lives and businesses, there often are trends and developments that are worth being aware of and prepared for. Considering that approach, th...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— January 2021 — 558 views COVID-19 Depositions Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mental health Mock trials Research Trial consulting Witness training


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 — 562 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


The Litigation Psychology Podcast #50 - Best practices for video depositions
Video has become common for depositions, mediations, and witness trainings during these days of physical distancing. But appearing on video for these virtual sessions isn't the same as being in person and requires a specific approach and attention to detail to different things. Jackie Arguijo, Vid...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— December 2020 — 506 views Depositions Presentations Webinars 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 — 706 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


Best practices in case research - part I
Introduction When managing litigation, every  decision should be made with as deep  an understanding as possible of what  a  future jury would do. But few things are as  complex as trying to predict jury decisions. Valuing a  case requires a deep understanding of the  law,  access to appr...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— September 2020 — 719 views Confirmatory research Exploratory research Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Planning Research Trial consulting


The secret weapons of opening statements - part II
In part one of this blog post on the primacy and recency effects of opening statements, we discussed how this concept is often misunderstood by litigators and the philosophy that trial attorneys need to adopt for their opening statements. In the second part, we provide examples of different openi...
Bill Kanasky, Jr., Ph.D.
— September 2020 — 743 views Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Planning Presentations Research Trial consulting