How can a better evidence-based approach support public sector organisations to meet their challenges? Rob Brinan, a Professor of Organisational Psychology in the School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London, joined us to explore what we know in relation to how the public sector responds to situations, and how a more evidence based approach may improve practice. He covered -

• Understanding the origins and history of evidence-based practice
• Developing a detailed understanding of what evidence-based practice really means (and what it doesn’t mean)
• Appreciating the many barriers to working in an evidence-based way and strategies for overcoming some of these barriers
• Identifying how evidence-based practice can be applied in your own work and how to get started

The basic principles of evidence-based practice and making well-informed decisions are based on three principles -

• Principle 1: Incorporate multiple sources and types of evidence and information
• Principle 2: Adopt a structured and explicit process of gathering and using evidence
  (a) structured diagnosis first-then solution
  (b) structured questioning and evidence gathering
• Principle 3: Focus on the most trustworthy and relevant evidence (not all the evidence)

Our aim is help the clients, customers or communities. To best do this, consider this evidence - 

• The most important issues faced by the clients and customers?
• Which interventions are most likely to resolve these issues?

We are surrounded by data and evidence of many types from many sources, some is not trustworthy and 
some is not relevant, including untrustworthy and irrelevant evidence will not lead to better-informed decisions. Judging the quality of evidence means looking at its relevance to the question and the setting.

Watch the event in full: