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Evidence Based Practice

Module description

This module addresses the significance of capturing robust quantitative and qualitative evidence to inform meaningful insight and influence critical thinking. It focuses on analysing evidence through an ethical lens to improve decision-making and how measuring the impact of people practice is essential in creating value.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will provide you with an opportunity to develop an understanding of the concepts of evidence-based practice and the tools and methods that are applied to diagnose issues, challenges, and opportunities. You will explain the principles of critical thinking and assess how different ethical perspectives can influence decision-making. Key insights and analysis tools and methods will be covered, and you will interpret data relating to a people practice issues before presenting your findings and evaluating the benefits, risks, and financial implications of solutions. Finally, you will be able to explain how to measure the impact and value people practice contributions make to your organisation.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Explain the importance of decision-making strategies to solve people practice issues.
• 2. Examine the impact and value of people practice to the organisation

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Describe strategies for effective critical thinking and decision-making
• 4. Use data and metrics to mitigate areas of risk and highlight opportunities.

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Present a persuasive argument backed up with evidence.

Syllabus plan

• Introduction to module including key terms and assessment criteria.
• Evaluating the concept of evidence-based practice including how it can be applied to decision-making in people practice.
• Explore e a range of analysis tools and methods including how they can be applied to diagnose organisational issues, challenges, and opportunities.
• The principles of critical thinking including how you apply these to your own and others’ ideas.
• Examine a range of decision-making processes.
• Assessing how different ethical perspectives can influence decision-making.
• With reference to a people practice issue, how to interpret analytical data using appropriate analysis tools and methods.
• Presenting key findings for stakeholders from people practice activities and initiatives.
• Making justified recommendations based on evaluation of the benefits, risks, and financial implications of potential solutions.
• How to appraise different ways organisations measure financial and non-financial performance.
• How to measure the impact and value of people practice using a variety of methods.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you have been deferred for any assessment you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be expected to submit the relevant assessment. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of referral will be capped at 40%

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

• Taylor, S. and Woodhams, C. (eds). (2022) Human resource management: people and organisations. 3rd ed. London: CIPD Kogan Page. Armstrong, M. and Taylor, S. (2023).
• Barends, E. and Rousseau, D. M. (2018) Evidence Based Management – How to Use Evidence to Make Better Decisions. Kogan Page. London.
• Chatford, T. (2022) Critical Thinking: Your Guide to Effective Argument, Successful Analysis, and Independent Study. 2nd Ed. Sage Publications Ltd.
• Khan, N, Millner, D, (2020) Introduction to People Analytics: A Practical Guide to Data Driven HR 3rd Ed. Kogan Page.

Web-based and electronic resources:

• www.cipd.co.uk Website of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Knowledge Hub.

Key words search

HR; Human Resources; People Management; People Professional