Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MGT5909

 
TITLE Evidence-Based Management

 
UM LEVEL 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course

 
MQF LEVEL 7

 
ECTS CREDITS 5

 
DEPARTMENT Business and Enterprise Management

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit starts with a historical overview comprising the development of evidence and, then, introduces the principles of Evidence-Based Management. It proposes an Evidence-Based Practice model for professionals engaged in the social care services wherein the practitioners’ expertise, available research evidence and grounded client circumstances are taken into account.

Furthermore, the unit presents an array of systematic approaches to implement the principles and concepts that form Evidence-Based Management and Practice. To this effect, it raises awareness on statistical misconceptions in decision making, as well as cognitive biases in decision making processes. Finally, the unit encapsulates the fundamental tools and practices to enhance Evidence-Based Decision Making.

Study-Unit Aims:

This Study-unit aims:
- To provide an overview of Evidence Based Management within a social work context;
- To create an understanding and develop insights about the relevance of evidence based practice and its impact on quality decision making;
- To assist participants in comprehending the role of existing structures and processes as determined by internal and external stakeholders' context and values.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- have a knowledgeable opinion of the concept of 'evidence' in their practice;
- understand the critical relevance of using evidence in decision making;
- evaluate data from a critical point of view;
- contextualize the role of systems in decision-making;
- critically review evidence and process and evaluate data;
- have an awareness of biases in decision making.

2. Skills:

By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- comprehend and apply the principles of evidence-based management within social institutional frameworks;
- collect, analyse and utilise scientific evidence in decision-making;
- evaluate data from a critical perspective;
- contextualise the role of systematic review and modelling in decision-making;
- detect and deal with cognitive biases in decision-making;
- apply an array of tools, practices and approaches to diffuse the culture of evidence-based management across the different levels of the organisational hierarchy.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

Main Texts:

- Rousseau, D. M. (2012). The Oxford Handbook pf Evidence-Based Management. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Barends, E. (2015). In search of evidence: Empirical findings and professional perspectives on evidence-based management. Amsterdam: Center for Evidence-Based Management
Centre for evidence based Management, official website https://cebma.org/resources - Various online resources.

Supplementary Readings:

- Ariely, D. (2008). Predictably irrational (p. E2). Harper Audio.
- Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Strauss, Giroux.

Other specific material including papers and documents will be provided to students in the process and shall be posted on VLE.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture and Independent Study

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Presentation Yes 30%
Case Study (Take Home) Yes 70%

 
LECTURER/S Vincent Cassar
Geltrude Spiteri

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit