This course provides MBA (Master of Business Administration) candidates with the opportunity to consolidate, integrate, and apply their knowledge, tools and frameworks, and particularly critical thinking and evidence-based decision-making capabilities, acquired in the MBA program. This course helps MBA candidates develop solutions to real world problems, opportunities, and innovation challenges. This course, as such, provides our MBA candidates with an integrated learning experience that will help them demonstrate the value-add of their MBA education not only within their organisations, but to further advance career, professional, and personal development. This course helps to further develop and strengthen all functional skills and core evidence-informed decision-making capabilities (in particular the Assess & Apply skills), and also how to translate knowledge into an organisational setting.

In this course after two weeks of classes on evidence-based decision-making and practice tools and frameworks, MBA candidates will work individually on a 10-week self-directed applied project to develop, design, and implement (if warranted and feasible), an evidence-based innovative management decision to address a complex real world problem, opportunity, or innovation challenge (preferably within their organisation). In the evidence-based practice in Management course at the start of the program, MBA candidates are tasked with a CAT (Critically Appraised Topic) where they examine the science behind a complex problem in their organisations. In this course, MBA candidates may choose to develop a solution to the problem that they carefully identified and analysed using an evidence-based approach, of which they may have an evolved understanding and appreciation of, in the evidence-based practice in Management course at the start of the MBA program. 

There are several different options for the applied project:

1. A piloting and implementation proposal that relies on designing an evidence-based intervention or innovation in collaboration with their own organisation or an organisation of their choice. The outcome of this option is the proposal of methodological instruments and a well-laid out plan for implementation of the project.
2.  A consultancy report that requires the MBA candidate to act as a consultant to work on a real-life management or business problem of an organisation, a business, or a department that requires their evidence-based decision-making and practice skills and knowledge to propose solutions through a properly structured and presented consultancy project (practicum).
3.  A thesis related to an empirical problem within the candidate’s organisation or a department, business of their choice using an evidence-based management framework displaying all the related capabilities to ultimately propose appropriate evidence-based decision-making and practice solutions and show academic contributions to the field of evidence-based decision-making and practice.
4.  An Evidence-Based Intervention or Innovation Proposal - For this option, MBA candidates have to write a report which will be presented to their organisation. In the report they are required to design and plan an evidence-based intervention or innovation, in collaboration with their organisation, with the purpose of piloting and implementation, to address a complex problem, opportunity, or innovation challenge.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. demonstrate theoretical and critical knowledge in and across the different business and management courses in the MBA program using an evidence-based decision-making and practice framework.
2. critically analyse disciplinary information and knowledge from different sources and stakeholders using evidence-based tools and reasoning.
3. systematically and critically apply the best available evidence from and across the different disciplines to provide solutions in complex business environments.
4. effectively translate the findings from their research into practical recommendations
5. ascertain important supportive conditions for the implementation of recommended evidence-based practices
6. reflect on their learning experience to demonstrate that they have effectively achieved the learning outcomes the MBA program.
7. effectively present an integrated and culminated learning experience together with the research findings, both orally and in writing.

Research-Led Teaching

Evidence-Based Management education is inherently evidence-based. The pedagogical approach in this course is grounded in problem-based learning and cognitive theories of learning which have been shown to optimise learning and learning transfer, and support the development of critical thinking and meta-cognitive skills (thinking about thinking). Further, this course fosters a 'push' approach (course content is based on robust research) and 'pull' approach (evidence-based decision making skills are developed) to Evidence-Based Management Education which in tandem cultivate superior decision-making capabilities. Altogether these approaches mean that managers and leaders taking this course can ask the right questions, think critically and acquire the right information to make superior organisational decisions.

Field Trips

N/A

Additional Course Costs

N/A

Recommended Resources

1. Barends, E. & Rousseau, D.M. (2018). Evidence-Based Management: How to use evidence to make better organizational decisions. Kogan Page: New York - https://library.anu.edu.au/record=b5803516
2. Zikmund, W.G., Quinlan, C., Griffin, M., Babin, B.J. & Carr, J.C. (2019). (2nd Ed.). Business Research Methods. Cengage. - https://library.anu.edu.au/record=b6704327
3. A list of articles will be provided in the first week to all participants.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 1 of semester SEMINAR 1 There are four face-to- face seminars for this course throughout the semester. As this is the capstone course for the MBA program, the remainder volume of learning is through independent study, with lecturer consultation as needed. Please note that participants should have a minimum of 2 consultations (with a maximum of 4) with the course convener or any other academic as deemed appropriate by the lecturer during the semester. These consultations are over and above the contact hours provided by the face-to-face seminars.	Seminar 1: (i) library e-databases tutorial (ii) Introduction & Evidence-based decision-making and practice refresher. (iii) Metacognitive skills & Evidence-based decision-making and practice
2	Week 2 of semester SEMINAR 2 Seminar 2: in this seminar we will discuss the role of cognitive and social bias in decision-making and draw on research and concepts in cognitive neuropsychology.	(i) Metacognitive skills & Evidence-based decision-making and practice continued from seminar 1 ?(ii) report writing and communication, critically appraised topics, and the structure and content of Evidence-based practice report due in week 12.
3	Submission of problem statement and context (problem identification - Ask- and scope) by Tuesday 18.03.2022 @ 23.55	Submission by Friday 18.03..2022 @ 23.55 Feedback will be provided the following Friday
4	Week 7 of semester SEMINAR 3 Seminar 3: Mid-semester peer review of project progress to provide a formative feedback opportunity.	Peer-review (formative) of project progress.
5	Week 12 of semester SEMINAR 4 Seminar 4: Oral presentation and defense including reflection of integrated learning in the MBA program and submission of EB practice project report.	Submission of report and oral defense.

Tutorial Registration

N/A

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Problem statement and context and Peer-review of project progress (formative)	0 %	18/04/2022	22/04/2022	1,2,3,4,5,6
EBP project report (summative)	60 %	02/06/2022	01/07/2022	1,2,3,4,5,6
Oral presentation (5%) and defense (5%) (summative) + reflection (30%)(summative)	40 %	27/05/2022	01/07/2022	1,2,3,4,5,6

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Participation is strongly encouraged in all seminars and assessments. In the event that candidates cannot attend face-to-face seminars, particularly due to COVID restrictions, seminars will be conducted online via zoom in the spirit of hybrid delivery. Seminars may be streamed live through ZOOM or pre-recorded and made available on Echo360 and Wattle; and tutorials will be carried out both face-to face and online synchronously and recorded through ZOOM

Candidates are strongly encouraged to avail of the consultation provided with their convener. Any request for appointment outside the specified consultation day/time should be sent by email to the course convener. Consultation can occur face-to-face, online or via telephone.

Examination(s)

There is no examination for this course.

Assessment Task 1

Problem statement and context and Peer-review of project progress (formative)

We will reconvene as a group formally in week 7 and each MBA candidate will present their project progress and will be peer-reviewed in class against criteria which will be provided on Wattle in Week 1. We strongly recommend students to respect the proposed deadline so they can complete the capstone project in a timely manner.

Please note this will be due on 18.03.2022 for convener's feedback and comments.

NB. Information about the structure of project will be discussed in seminar week 2.

Project Outline

Weight: 0% (formative)

Due date: 18.03.2022

Assessment feedback date: by the end of week 6

Peer Review

Weight: 0% (formative)

Due date: Week 7

Assessment feedback date: within two weeks of submission

Students will be provided with guidelines for peer-review

Assessment Task 2

EBP project report (summative)

EBP practice project report, the report will include i) a Critically Appraised Topic (stepping stone in EBMgt course), ii) implementation plan and iii) assessment plan

Option 1: Evidence-based intervention or innovation proposal

Option 2: Evidence-based consulting proposal/practicum

Word limit: 3,500-5000 words (excluding references, appendices, table of contents) - Part in excess of word limit will not be read or marked.

Option 1: An Evidence-Based Intervention or Innovation Proposal- For this option, MBA candidates have to write a report which will be presented to their organisation. In the report they are required to design and plan an evidence-based intervention or innovation, in collaboration with their organisation, with the purpose of piloting and implementation, to address a complex problem, opportunity, or innovation challenge that they should rationally identify. MBA candidates will be required to develop a detailed implementation plan with due consideration given to the tenets and principles of evidence-based practice. They will also be required to develop an assessment plan to evaluate and assess progress and success of the intervention.

Option 2: Evidence-Based Consulting practicum – MBA candidates undertake a project in their own or client organisation as consultants. They will be responsible to negotiating the terms of consulting project with the client. MBA candidates will be required to develop a client brief and detailed implementation plan related to a problem they would have rationally identified with due consideration given to the tenets and principles of evidence-based practice. They will also be required to develop a detailed plan to evaluate and assess progress and success of the intervention.

Other kinds of projects may be considered, subject to approval by the course convener.

Structure of plan will be discussed in consultation meetings.

STRUCTURE OF THE EBP REPORT

1.      Executive summary

2.      Problem/opportunity identification:

a.      Describe assumed problem opportunity or claim, including assumed organisational consequences and causes (include a logic model diagram). Also describe the organisational context.

b.     Test the assumed problem/claim and preferred solutions briefly against at least 2 different sources of evidence:

                                                              i.     Stakeholders

                                                            ii.     Professionals

                                                          iii.     Organisational evidence

                                                          iv.     scientific findings

c.      Present overarching question/claim

3.      Methodology. Describe the research methods used to acquire evidence from different sources to identify the problem and solution.

a.      Stakeholder evidence

b.     Organisational evidence

c.      Professional evidence

d.     Scientific evidence (CAT). Describe CAT methodology and present main CAT question and sub-questions (refer to CEBMa CAT guidelines)

4.      Findings

a.      Stakeholder preferred solutions

b.     Professional preferred solutions

c.      Scientific evidence: CAT findings only (refer to CEBMa CAT guidelines)

d.     Aggregation: Systematically integrate the different sources of evidence and consider the limitations of each source of evidence.

e.      Bayesian estimation (optional)

5.      Evidence-Based Recommendations

6.      Translation and Implementation plan

a.      Logic model diagram

b.     Evidence-based principles for change

c.      Evaluation criteria to assess the impact of interventions

7.      References

8.      Appendices:

a.      Stakeholder and professional questionnaires

b.     Stakeholder and professional interview schedules

c.      CAT appendices (refer to CEBMa guidelines):

                                                              i.     Search terms

                                                            ii.     Selection of studies

                                                          iii.     Data extraction

                                                          iv.     Excluded studies

Weight: 60%

Due date: 02.06.2022

Assessment feedback date: After release of grades

Assessment Task 3

Oral presentation (5%) and defense (5%) (summative) + reflection (30%)(summative)

Oral presentation and defense & Reflection of Integrated Learning in the MBA program

The reflection aspect of this task will be in writing (max 1000 words @ 30%). Information on how to write the reflection will be provided in Week 1 on Wattle and will be in line with what participants have done already in previous courses.

Presentations are expected to be no more than 30 minutes in duration and will be assessed in situ as per criteria that will be provided in Week 1. Presentations will be recorded.

Each candidate will be required to defend their project after the presentation (maximum time: 20 minutes). The reflection is to be submitted following the presentation and defense.

Rubrics for both presentation and defense will be provided in week 1 to all participants

Weight: 40% [5% oral presentation +5% defense +30% reflection]

Date of Oral Defense: in seminar 4 Friday Week 12 (27.05.2022)

Assessment feedback date: after release of course grades.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

All requests for extensions to assessment in RSM courses must be submitted to the RSM School Office with a completed application form and supporting documentation. The RSM Extension Application Form and further information on this process can be found at https://www.rsm.anu.edu.au/education/education-programs/rsm-assessment-extension/

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Please see relevant assessment task details above.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Unless specified otherwise in the assessment requirements, resubmissions are permitted up until the due date and time, but not allowed afterwards.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students