Why is evidence-based practice important?
Finally, the factsheet explains the practical implications of applying evidence-based practice to real-life organisational scenarios. It outlines and refutes a number of misconceptions about evidence-based practice, before looking at literature which demonstrates the effectiveness of evidence-based practice. This factsheet outlines the four sources of evidence considered key to effective evidence-based practice, before highlighting the importance of combining these to ensuring actions have the greatest chance of success. It’s important that people professionals adopt this approach because of the huge impact management decisions have on the working lives and wellbeing of people in all sorts of organisations worldwide. It makes decision makers less reliant on anecdotes, received wisdom and personal experience – sources that are not trustworthy on their own. An evidence-based approach to decision-making is based on a combination of using critical thinking and the best available evidence. ensures that decisions are made in a way that is consistent with our democratic and political processes which are characterised by transparency and accountability.Evidence-based practice is about making better decisions, informing action that has the desired impact.can produce an acceptable return on the financial investment that is allocated toward public programs by improving service delivery and outcomes for the Australian community.can reduce government expenditure which may otherwise be directed into ineffective policies or programs which could be costly and time consuming.This can enhance the decision making process enables information sharing amongst other members of the public sector, in regard to what policies have or haven’t worked.This is important in securing funding and resources for the policy to be developed, implemented and maintained
can highlight the urgency of an issue or problem which requires immediate attention.helps ensure that policies are responding to the real needs of the community, which in turn, can lead to better outcomes for the population in the long term.Using an evidence based approach to policy making can provide the following advantages:
The advantages of using an evidence based approach to policy making has been discussed by many researchers (see for example Argyrous, 2009 Banks, 2009 Othman, 2005 Taylor, 2005), with some common arguments emerging to support its application throughout the policy making cycle. When evidence is not used as a basis for decision making, or the evidence that is used is not an accurate reflection of the ‘real’ needs of the key population/s, the proposals for change are likely to produce ineffective outcomes and may even lead to negative implications for those they are seeking to benefit (Urban Institute, 2003).Īs a result, the evidence based approach to decision making has gained momentum in recent years as it strives to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of policy making processes by focusing on ‘what works’ (Banks, 2009). It ‘helps people make well informed decisions about policies, programmes and projects by putting the best available evidence from research at the heart of policy development and implementation.’ (Davies, 2004: 3).Įvidence based decisions can produce more effective policy decisions, and as a result, better outcomes for the community. Using a scientific approach to investigate all available evidence can lead to policy decisions that are more effective in achieving desired outcomes as decisions are based on accurate and meaningful information.Įvidence based decision making requires a systematic and rational approach to researching and analysing available evidence to inform the policy making process. Governments are responsible for making policy decisions to improve the quality of life for individuals and the population.
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