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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 — 63 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 — 97 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 — 136 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 — 161 views Anti-reptile COVID-19 Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Reptile Research Trial consulting


Advantages of desktop videoconferencing for depositions
Now that there is again a choice (in most cases) of conducting depositions in-person or remotely, how do you decide which approach is best? Although there are several factors to consider, you should know that CSI offers convenient and cost-effective desktop videoconferencing for depositions. Attor...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— June 2021 — 203 views Court reporting Depositions


Litigation Psychology Podcast #75 - Frequently asked questions
A special episode for the 75th edition of The Litigation Psychology Podcast. Dr. Bill Kanasky answers questions that have come in from podcast viewers and listeners. The questions asked and answered: - Should I do my mock tria l in the actual venue of the lawsuit? - How should I handle confident...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— June 2021 — 192 views COVID-19 Depositions Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Nuclear verdicts Trial consulting Witness training


Litigation Psychology Podcast #72 - Trucking and construction litigation
Eric Miersma, Attorney with Balestreri Potocki & Holmes, and a former commercial truck driver, joins the podcast to discuss both trucking and construction litigation. Eric compares and contrasts the two different types of litigation, noting that construction players often have lots of experience w...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— May 2021 — 221 views Depositions Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Nuclear verdicts Trial consulting Trucking & transportation Witness training


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 — 268 views Exploratory research Focus groups Insurance defense Litigation psychology Planning Research Scientific method Trial consulting


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 — 265 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 — 340 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 — 381 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


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


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 — 257 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 — 801 views Communications Jurors Litigation psychology Planning Presentations Trial consulting


Litigation Psychology Podcast #64 - IP litigation
Jonathan Barbee, Attorney with MoloLamken LLP, talks with Dr. Steve Wood about IP litigation. Jonathan has broad Intellectual Property litigation experience working primarily on patent cases, but manages the litigation for trade secret and copyright cases as well. Jonathan and Steve discuss the ap...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— April 2021 — 336 views IP / patent Jurors Litigation psychology Mock trials 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 — 351 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 — 339 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 — 336 views Exploratory research Focus groups Jurors Litigation psychology Mock trials Presentations Research Scientific method Trial consulting Witness training


Litigation Psychology Podcast #59 - Best practices for large cases
Trial attorneys and partners Thomas Segars & James Weiss from Ellis | Winters join the podcast to talk with Dr. Bill Kanasky about high exposure litigation and their process to approach these cases. Tom and Jamie share the importance of getting started early and the work they do on thinking about ...
CSI - Courtroom Sciences Inc
— March 2021 — 498 views Depositions Jurors Jury consulting Litigation psychology Mock trials Nuclear verdicts Trial consulting Witness training