University of Bath: How evidence-based is HR?

Have you ever heard of Evidence-Based HR? It is an approach using evidence-based management practices for decision making. Here a decision is the result of conscientious, explicit and judicious use of the best available evidence from multiple sources to increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome. In his case study Prof. Rob Briner from the University of Bath applies this concept to Human Resources questions. He shows why all practitioners (not only HR) need evidence-based practice and a case of how evidence-based approaches can lead to more effective decisions.

• Asking: translating a practical issue or problem into an answerable question.
• Acquiring: systematically searching for and retrieving the evidence.
• Appraising: critically judging the trustworthiness and relevance of the evidence.
• Aggregating: weighing and pulling together the evidence.
• Applying: incorporating the evidence in the decision-making process.
• Assessing: evaluating the outcome of the decision taken.