Evidence-Based Practice in Management

This business and management course introduces students to an evidence-based management (EBM) framework that shows how maturity across six key domains is linked to improved leadership competency. The key domains are:

• Framing the problem (Ask);
• Gathering evidence (Acquire);
• Evaluating evidence (Appraise);
• Synthesizing findings (Aggregate);
• Implementation (Apply)
• Evaluating the outcomes (Assess).

Graduate business education has come under fire in recent years for not adequately preparing students for the challenge of managing in a complex, information-rich, and rapidly changing commercial environment. This was clearly demonstrated during the global financial crisis which exposed the inability of graduates from leading business schools to adapt what they had learnt to this new reality.

Evidence-based practice in management is a response to this situation. This business course focuses on exposing students to the latest academic thinking, while also equipping students to be critical and analytical thinkers that challenge established beliefs, and utilize the best available evidence to inform ethical decision making. Learn the EBM framework, how to analyze research, use critical thinking and more to make better business decisions.

The knowledge and skills developed in this course will prepare students to confront future business challenges. These business and management capabilities are critical for emerging leaders, established managers, and entrepreneurs.

This course provides the foundation for all other courses in the Evidence-Based Management MicroMasters Program.

Week 1-2: Fundamentals of evidence-based practice
Introduction to the EBM framework and the basic principles of evidence-based practice. Week 3-4: Bias and errors in decision making
Explore common biases and errors that impact decision making.
Week 5: Framing problems
Examine the principles of good problem specification.
Week 6: Acquiring ‘best evidence’
Collate different types of evidence and effective search strategies.
Week 7: Appraising evidence quality
Consider different evidence appraisal techniques.
Week 8: Aggregating evidence
Synthesize and make sense of evidence.
Week 9: Implementing and communicating solutions
Different implementation and communication strategies for evidence-based solutions.
Week 10: Evaluating actions
Tools for evaluating feedback and taking considered action.
Week 11: Becoming an evidence-based practitioner
Considering the social and ethical implications of evidence-based practice.
Week 12: Reflection
Understanding the importance of self-reflection and meta-cognition.