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 capstone 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 on Wattle.

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

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) Introduction & Evidence-based decision-making and practice refresher. (ii) Types of research questions (iii) Sources of evidence and research methods (iv) Methodological appropriateness (v) Library guide to e-databases
2	Week 2 of semester SEMINAR 2 Seminar 2: in this seminar we will continue learning about the interrelationships among problems, research questions, sources of evidence, and research methods. We will also learn about report writing and the structure of the EBP report due in week 12	(i) Problems, questions, sources of evidence, and methods ?(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 19.03.2023 @ 23.55	Submission by 19.03.2023 @ 23.55 Feedback will be provided by the following Friday 24.03.2022
4	consultation with convenor and/or specific academic	We expect students to consult with the convenor and/or relevant academic on the progress of their project regarding data collection/analysis/write-up and preparation towards peer review between week 4 to week 11
5	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.
6	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 %	19/03/2023	24/03/2023	1,2,3,4,5,6
EBP project report (summative)	60 %	04/06/2023	01/07/2023	1,2,3,4,5,6
Oral presentation (5%) and defense (5%) (summative) + reflection (30%)(summative)	40 %	26/05/2023	01/07/2023	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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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 via ZOOM 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 19.03.2023 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: 19.03.2023

Assessment feedback date: Friday 24.03.2023

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 on Wattle

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.

Please note that we expect proper in-text citation and list of references

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: 04.06.2023

Assessment feedback date: After release of grades

Rubrics for the report will be made available during the semester on Wattle.

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.

In-text citations and list of references are expected in the reflection of integrated learning.

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 and for reflection 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 (26.05.2023)

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. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

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 Access 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