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What is the difference between a focus group & mock trial?
When exploring research options, clients often ask about the difference between a Focus Group and a Mock Trial. These terms are often used interchangeably but there are, in fact, important and relevant differences. The distinction between a Focus Group versus a Mock Trial may be thought of primari...
George R. Speckart, Ph.D. - Litigation Psychology
— July 2021 — 75 views Confirmatory research Exploratory research Focus groups Jurors Litigation psychology Mock trials Trial consulting


Jury trials during a pandemic: what to consider - part 3
In part 1 of this article about the key factors that trial attorneys, in-house counsel, and claims professionals should consider in evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of a civil jury trial in the midst and wake of the coronavirus pandemic, we wrote about jurors’ perceptions of corporatio...
Melissa Loberg, Ph.D. & Lorie Sicafuse, Ph.D.
— July 2021 — 104 views Anti-reptile COVID-19 Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Reptile Research Trial consulting


Jury trials during a pandemic: what to consider - part 2
In part 1 of this article , we covered two of the four key factors that trial attorneys, in-house counsel, and claims professionals should consider in evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of a civil jury trial in the midst and wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In this second part, we discu...
Melissa Loberg, Ph.D. & Lorie Sicafuse, Ph.D.
— July 2021 — 145 views Anti-reptile COVID-19 Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Reptile Research Trial consulting


Jury trials during a pandemic: what to consider - part 1
Despite the ongoing pandemic, civil jury trials have resumed in many venues throughout the United States. There is little doubt that the frequency of civil jury trials will increase with more widespread distribution of vaccines and the implementation of new social distancing courtroom protocols. C...
Melissa Loberg, Ph.D. & Lorie Sicafuse, Ph.D.
— July 2021 — 165 views Anti-reptile COVID-19 Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Reptile Research Trial consulting


Litigation Psychology Podcast #77 - Safety is NOT your top priority
Sean Murphy, Practice Leader, CSI Critical Communications joins Dr. Steve Wood to talk about the myth that safety is the top priority for most businesses. Many company communications, mission statements, and handbooks default to stating that the safety of their employees/customers/shareholders/com...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— July 2021 — 254 views Communications COVID-19 Crisis Enterprise risk management Social media


Save money with early jury research
Everyone in the litigation management business is concerned about the rising costs of litigation. Just managing the litigation process is a seriously daunting process. In many cases, trying to keep the budget on track can become a major endeavor involving excess costs brought on by improper and im...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— May 2021 — 272 views Exploratory research Focus groups Insurance defense Litigation psychology Planning Research Scientific method Trial consulting


Litigation Psychology Podcast #71 - Mental health awareness
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Whitney Burkett, Associate Attorney with Anderson, Rasor & Partners, and CSI Litigation Consultant Dr. Alyssa Parker join Dr. Steve Wood to discuss mental health, and in particular the mental health of witnesses. Whitney and Alyssa discuss the importance of as...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— May 2021 — 240 views COVID-19 Mental health Witness training


Determining the ideal counter-damage number - part 2
In part 1 of this topic , we introduced the challenge that the defense faces in addressing the topic of damages and counter-damages. In part 2 we explore how to test and validate the impact of counter-damages. *   * * Methods Matter: Ensuring the Validity of Online Tests of Counter-Damages * To a...
Melissa Loberg, Ph.D. & George R. Speckart, Ph.D.
— May 2021 — 266 views Exploratory research Jury consulting Litigation psychology Research Trial consulting


Litigation Psychology Podcast #70 - Traumatic brain injury cases
Rick Joslin, Attorney with Collins Einhorn Farrell, talks to Dr. Steve Wood about Traumatic Brain Injury cases and some of the considerations when managing these types of cases. Rick and Steve discuss the challenges in defending traumatic brain injury cases which aren't always as visible as a phys...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— May 2021 — 342 views Health care / med mal Jury consulting Litigation psychology Trial consulting


Determining the ideal counter-damage number - part 1
When the average juror walks into a courtroom, the juror’s concept of the value of a case is based on the extreme verdicts described in the media, the cherry-picked largest verdicts touted by plaintiff attorneys in their advertisements, and the often hefty amount of money requested by the plaintif...
Melissa Loberg, Ph.D. & George R. Speckart, Ph.D.
— May 2021 — 389 views Exploratory research Jury consulting Litigation psychology Research Trial consulting


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


Nurse depositions gone bad - part 3
In  part 1 of this topic , we gave an example of a nurse's deposition and how easily it can go badly. In part 2 , we highlight some of the most common aspects of the nursing profession  that create the greatest pitfalls for nurses in the  deposition. In this final part, we cover prevention str...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— May 2021 — 373 views Depositions Health care / med mal Litigation psychology Witness training


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 — 320 views Confirmatory research Focus groups Litigation psychology Mock trials Research Scientific method Trial consulting


Nurse depositions gone bad - part 2
In part 1 of this topic , we gave an example of a nurse's deposition and how easily it can go badly. In part 2, we highlight some of the most common aspects of the nursing profession  that create the greatest pitfalls for nurses in the  deposition. * Nurses Must Have Answers –  * *Always* ...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— April 2021 — 314 views Depositions Health care / med mal Litigation psychology Witness training


Nurse depositions gone bad - part 1
* Introduction  * Across the country, malpractice litigation creates a painful scenario for the health care industry, causing incalculable financial losses and rendering emotional turmoil to the health care  professionals  who  have  been  positioned  unwittingly  as pawns in the game. These pawn...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— April 2021 — 383 views Depositions Health care / med mal Litigation psychology Witness training


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 — 261 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 — 803 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 — 353 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 — 340 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 — 338 views Exploratory research Focus groups Jurors Litigation psychology Mock trials Presentations Research Scientific method Trial consulting Witness training