Students vs. jurors : responding to enhanced video technology

Meredith Rossner, David Tait, Jane Goodman-Delahunty

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    This study investigated the influence of visual media technologies used in remote witness testimony, examining whether it is suitable to use students as mock jurors when measuring the impact of new technologies. A 2 × 2 mixed factorial design explored how student status impacted ratings of the quality of the technology and remote witness facilities. A sample of 79 students and non-empanelled jurors from the Victorian Metropolitan County Court viewed direct questioning of four lay witnesses who testified from a remote location via standard or enhanced video technology. Students differed significantly from jurors in their attitudes towards media and technology. In responding to technology enhancements, students were similar in rating changes in the quality of the technology, but differed significantly in how they rated changes to the design of remote witness facilities. Students were thus a suitable sample to measure the effect of technological change in court on perceptions of technology, but not on perceptions of design. We conclude by stressing such technology enhancements can improve the quality of experience for all jurors.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)618-635
    Number of pages18
    JournalLaws
    Volume3
    Issue number3
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

    Keywords

    • remote testimony
    • visual technology
    • jury
    • witnesses
    • courts

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