Volunteers aged 18-75 are needed for several mock criminal jury trials happening in July and August.
Volunteers will be needed to take part in one of several scheduled sessions starting from 14th July onwards. Taking part in the mock trials will take 2-3 three hours from start to finish and free parking will be provided on campus during the experiment.
The research will see volunteers acting as jurors in a study that the researchers have recreated based on a real case involving a rape allegation.
Evidence from the real trial has been used to recreate a shorter videotaped version of the trial. Mock jurors will hear the real testimony of the complainant (person making the rape allegation) and defendant (person accused of rape) alongside key arguments made by the lawyers and the judge, before being asked to make a decision in the case.
After hearing all the evidence, mock juries will then be asked to deliberate with others and decide as a group whether they find the defendant guilty or not guilty.
The discussions will be recorded and analysed by the researchers.
Dr Dominic Willmott, from Loughborough University’s School of Social Sciences and Humanities, and lead investigator in the research, said: "The law in England and Wales means that it is currently illegal to ask real jurors any questions about their deliberations.”
"Because of this, we have huge gaps in our understanding of what jurors make of evidence in sexual offence cases.
"This study is designed to help fill this gap, providing new insights into what members of the public make of testimony in rape cases."
Those interested in taking part should email Dr Willmott’s Research Assistant, Ceri Acton, who will share more information about the study and the dates/times available to take part. University staff are also able to take part.
As a thank you for taking part, participants will receive a Love-to-Shop gift voucher.