Textbook Information

Question 1

Evidence-Based Management (EBMgt)

Answer 1

A systematic process of gathering, interpreting, and applying the best available evidence from multiple sources to improve the quality of managerial decisions.

Question 2

Confirmation Bias

Answer 2

Tendency to seek or favor information that supports pre-existing beliefs.

Question 3

Overconfidence Bias

Answer 3

Overestimating the accuracy of one’s own knowledge or predictions.

Question 4

Tacit Knowledge

Answer 4

Informal, experience-based knowledge that is difficult to codify or communicate.

Question 5

Regulative Pillar

Answer 5

Rules, laws, and enforcement mechanisms guiding behavior.

Question 6

Normative Pillar

Answer 6

Social norms, values, and roles shaping what is considered appropriate.

Question 7

Cultural-Cognitive Pillar

Answer 7

Shared beliefs and common frames of reference that influence meaning and behavior.

Question 8

Barriers to Evidence Use

Answer 8

Time pressure, lack of access to evidence, organizational resistance, or limited skills in appraising evidence.

Question 9

Four Sources of Evidence

Answer 9

Scientific Evidence, Organizational Evidence, Practitioner Evidence, Stakeholder Evidence

Question 10

Six-Step EBMgt Process

Answer 10

ASK
ACQUIRE
APPRAISE
AGGREGATE
APPLY
ASSESS

Question 11

What are common individual-level barriers to EBMgt?

Answer 11

Cognitive biases, time pressure, lack of evidence-appraisal skills.

Question 12

What is confirmation bias?

Answer 12

The tendency to search for or interpret information in a way that confirms one’s preconceptions.

Question 13

What is the role of organizational culture in evidence use?

Answer 13

Cultures that value intuition or tradition over data can hinder evidence-based decision-making.

Question 14

What are Scott’s (2013) three institutional pillars?

Answer 14

1. Regulative (rules/laws) 2. Normative (social norms) 3. Cultural-cognitive (shared beliefs).

Question 15

How can management education contribute to poor evidence use?

Answer 15

It often focuses on theory or case studies without teaching critical appraisal or evidence literacy.

Question 16

What is Evidence-Based Management (EBMgt)?

Answer 16

A systematic process of gathering, interpreting, and applying the best available evidence from multiple sources to improve decision-making.

Question 17

What are the four sources of evidence in EBMgt?

Answer 17

1. Scientific research 2. Organizational (internal) data 3. Practitioner expertise 4. Stakeholder values and concerns

Question 18

Why is EBMgt important in modern organizations?

Answer 18

It leads to better, more informed decisions, improves accountability, and reduces reliance on untested assumptions or biased judgment.

Question 19

What is the goal of EBMgt?

Answer 19

To make decisions based on the best available evidence rather than tradition, intuition, or authority.

Question 20

Name one major misconception about EBMgt.

Answer 20

That it ignores experience or practitioner knowledge—in fact, it integrates multiple forms of evidence.

Question 21

How can management education contribute to poor evidence use?

Answer 21

It often focuses on theory or case studies without teaching critical appraisal or evidence literacy.

Question 22

What is the purpose of asking answerable questions in EBMgt?

Answer 22

To clearly define the problem and guide evidence acquisition effectively.

Question 23

What does PICO stand for in evidence-based questioning?

Answer 23

Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome.

Question 24

Why is formulating a good question essential in EBMgt?

Answer 24

It determines the relevance, focus, and direction of the evidence-gathering process.

Question 25

What types of questions are typically asked in EBMgt?

Answer 25

Descriptive, predictive, or causal questions depending on the problem context.

Question 26

What makes a question 'answerable' in EBMgt?

Answer 26

It is specific, clear, and structured in a way that supports searching for reliable evidence.

Question 27

What is the main goal of acquiring evidence in EBMgt?

Answer 27

To systematically search for the most relevant and trustworthy evidence from different sources.

Question 28

What is a secondary source of scientific evidence?

Answer 28

A summary or synthesis of primary research studies, such as a systematic review or meta-analysis.

Question 29

Why is it important to assess the quality of sources when acquiring evidence?

Answer 29

Because not all sources are equally reliable; high-quality evidence is essential for sound decisions.

Question 30

What is 'evidence hierarchy' in EBMgt?

Answer 30

A ranking of evidence types based on their methodological quality, with systematic reviews at the top.

Question 31

What is grey literature?

Answer 31

Unpublished or non-commercial research such as reports, theses, and working papers that can still offer valuable insights.

Question 32

What does 'critical appraisal' mean in EBMgt?

Answer 32

The systematic evaluation of evidence for trustworthiness, relevance, and value in a specific context.

Question 33

What are three criteria for appraising scientific evidence?

Answer 33

Validity, reliability, and applicability.

Question 34

Why is critical appraisal important?

Answer 34

It prevents poor-quality or biased evidence from misleading decision-making.

Question 35

What is the difference between reliability and validity?

Answer 35

Reliability refers to consistency; validity refers to accuracy or truthfulness of the findings.

Question 36

What is publication bias?

Answer 36

The tendency for studies with positive results to be published more often than negative or null findings.

Question 37

What does it mean to aggregate evidence in EBMgt?

Answer 37

To synthesize and integrate evidence from different sources to form a coherent understanding.

Question 38

Why is aggregating different forms of evidence difficult?

Answer 38

Different evidence types (e.g., scientific, organizational) may conflict or vary in quality.

Question 39

What is triangulation in EBMgt?

Answer 39

The use of multiple sources or types of evidence to cross-validate findings.

Question 40

How can weighting evidence improve aggregation?

Answer 40

By giving more importance to high-quality or more relevant evidence during synthesis.

Question 41

What is a common mistake when aggregating evidence?

Answer 41

Overemphasizing one source (e.g., anecdotal or stakeholder views) while ignoring others.

Question 42

What does applying evidence mean in EBMgt?

Answer 42

Using the best available evidence to inform and guide specific managerial decisions.

Question 43

What factors influence whether evidence is applied?

Answer 43

Organizational context, leadership support, resources, and readiness for change.

Question 44

Why do managers sometimes fail to apply good evidence?

Answer 44

Due to resistance to change, lack of time, or preference for intuition.

Question 45

What is 'evidence-informed decision-making'?

Answer 45

A practical approach where decisions are influenced by evidence, but also by context and constraints.

Question 46

What is an example of a tool to support evidence application?

Answer 46

Decision aids, checklists, or implementation frameworks like the EBMgt process model.

Question 47

Why is evaluating the outcome of a decision important?

Answer 47

To assess the impact and effectiveness of the decision and to learn for future improvement.

Question 48

What are common methods for evaluating outcomes?

Answer 48

KPIs, feedback mechanisms, control groups, pre/post comparisons.

Question 49

What is a logic model?

Answer 49

A structured way to map how actions lead to outcomes, often used in evaluation.

Question 50

What is the risk of not evaluating outcomes?

Answer 50

Ineffective practices may continue and improvements may be missed.

Question 51

Why is stakeholder feedback useful in outcome evaluation?

Answer 51

It provides insights into how decisions are perceived and experienced.

Question 52

What is the main ethical responsibility in EBMgt?

Answer 52

To use evidence fairly, transparently, and in the best interests of stakeholders.

Question 53

What is manipulation of evidence?

Answer 53

Distorting or selectively presenting evidence to justify a preferred decision.

Question 54

What is transparency in EBMgt?

Answer 54

Being open about the evidence used, how it was evaluated, and why a decision was made.

Question 55

What is informed consent in stakeholder evidence?

Answer 55

Ensuring stakeholders are aware of how their input will be used and agree to its use.

Question 56

Why is ethical reflection important in decision-making?

Answer 56

To recognize unintended consequences and avoid harm or bias.

Question 57

What does it mean to embed EBMgt?

Answer 57

Integrating evidence-based thinking and practices into the everyday processes of an organization.

Question 58

What are key enablers of EBMgt in organizations?

Answer 58

Leadership support, training, evidence access, and a culture of inquiry.

Question 59

What is a barrier to embedding EBMgt?

Answer 59

Resistance to change, lack of resources, or low evidence literacy.

Question 60

Why is leadership important for EBMgt?

Answer 60

Leaders set expectations, allocate resources, and model evidence-based behavior.

Question 61

How can organizations build EBMgt capabilities?

Answer 61

Through staff development, knowledge sharing, and aligning systems with evidence use.