5CO02 1 And 2
5CO02
Evidence-based practice
Learner Assessment Brief
Version 2021. 1 February 2021
Level 5 Associate Diploma in
▪ People Management
▪ Organisational Learning and Development
Please write clearly in block capitals.
Centre number
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Learner other names
Assessor name
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Internal quality assurer name
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Assignment start date
Assignment end date
Assignment submission date
Assignment re-submission date for
centre marking (only one re-submission
allowed)
Level 5 Associate Diploma
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5CO02
Evidence-based practice
This unit assignment addresses the significance
of capturing robust quantitative and qualitative
evidence to inform meaningful insight to
influence critical thinking. It focuses on
analysing evidence through an ethical lens to
improve decision-making and how measuring
the impact of people practice is essential in
creating value.
CIPD’s insight
Evidence-based practice is about making better
decisions, informing action that has the desired
impact. An evidence-based approach to
decision-making is based on a combination of
using critical thinking and the best available
evidence. It makes decision makers less reliant
on anecdotes, received wisdom and personal
experience – sources that are not trustworthy
on their own.
It is important for People Practitioners to adopt
this approach because of the huge impact
management decisions have on the working
lives of people in all sorts of organisations
worldwide. Managers have an obligation to find
the best evidence when making important
decisions to strengthen the well-being of their
workers as well as ensuring their organisation’s
success.
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Case study
Your company has been invited to submit a briefing paper for a regional People Practice event that
will share insights and good practice on a range of people practice processes and practices. The
topic area that your manager has chosen is ‘evidence-based practice’ and has selected you to
represent the company by creating the briefing paper for the event.
In addition, your manager has asked you to analyse and review three sets of performance data in
readiness for the forthcoming heads of department meeting.
Preparation for the Tasks:
▪ At the start of your assignment, you are encouraged to plan your assessment work with
your Assessor and where appropriate agree milestones so that they can help you monitor
your progress.
▪ Refer to the indicative content in the unit to guide and support your evidence.
▪ Pay attention to how your evidence is presented, remember you are working in the People
Practice Team for this task.
▪ Ensure that the evidence generated for this assessment remains your own work.
You will also benefit from:
▪ Acting on formative feedback from your Assessor.
▪ Reflecting on your own experiences of learning opportunities and training and continuing
professional development.
▪ Reading the CIPD Insight, Fact Sheets and related online material on these topics.
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Task One: Briefing Paper
You have been asked to prepare a briefing paper that is to be given to people practitioners at a
regional event, to share insights and good practice. The paper needs to provide understanding of
approaches that can be taken to support effective critical thinking and decision-making within the
HR remit.
Your Briefing Paper needs to:
▪ provide an evaluation of the concept of evidence-based practice and assess how evidence-
based practice approaches can be used to support sound decision-making and judgments
for people practitioners across a range of people practices and organisational issues. (1.1)
▪ evaluate two micro and two macro analysis tools or methods that can be used in people
practice to explore an organisation’s micro and macro environment, and how those
identified might be applied to diagnose future issues, challenges and opportunities. (1.2)
▪ explain the principles of critical thinking and give examples of how you apply these yourself
when relating to your own and others’ ideas, to assist objective and rationale debate. (1.3)
▪ assess at least two different ethical theories and perspectives and explain how an
understanding of these can be used to inform and influence effective decision-making. (1.4)
▪ explain a range of decision-making approaches that could be used to identify possible
solutions to a specific issue relating to people practice. (2.3)
▪ as a worked example to illustrate the points made in 2.3, take this same people practice
issue, explain the relevant evidence that you have reviewed, and use one or more decision-
making tools to determine a recommended course of action, explaining the rationale for that
decision and identifying the benefits, risks and financial implications of the suggested
solution. (2.2 & 2.4)
▪ compare and contrast a range of different ways and approaches that are used to measure
financial and non-financial performance within organisations. (3.1)
It is essential that you refer to academic concepts, theories and professional practice for the tasks
to ensure that your work is supported by analysis. Please ensure that any references and sources
drawn upon are acknowledged correctly and supported by a bibliography.
Your evidence must consist of:
▪ Briefing paper (approximately 2900 words) refer to CIPD wordcount policy.
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Task two: Data analysis and review
In preparing for the forthcoming department heads meeting your manager has asked you to
prepare a range of information and interpretations for use at the meeting
Below are two sets of data that have been collected by a 360-degree review for Department ‘A’.
Table 1, is the feedback that has been elicited from employees on their line-managers and table 2
is from the customers that use the services and goods from Department A.
Use one analytical tool to review the two data sets to reveal any themes, patterns and trends (2.1).
Table 1.
360 Feedback from employees on their line-manager
(Department A total of 256responses were received, 32 did not respond).
Agreed that they were positively
supported by their line manager in
the role that they perform.
100 Disagreed that they were positively
supported by their line manager in
the role that they perform.
156
Agreed that performance targets
set by their line manager were
achievable.
45 Disagreed that performance targets
set by their line manager were
achievable.
211
Agreed that the amount of learning
and development that they
received helped them achieve
current and future working
practices.
95 Disagreed that the amount of
learning and development that they
received helped them achieve
current and future working
practices.
161
Agreed that their line manager was
empathetic to my work/life balance.
112 Disagreed that their line manager
was empathetic to my work/life
balance.
144
Agreed that their line manager
actively promotes their self-
development and career
progression.
68 Disagreed that their line manager
actively promotes their self-
development and career
progression.
188
Agreed that the line manager is
approachable.
37 Disagreed that the line manager is
approachable.
219
Agreed that their line manager
avoids bias in attitude and
treatment of people
86 Disagreed that their line manager
avoids bias in attitude and
treatment of people
170
Agrees that their line manager
resolves conflict amongst team
members.
102 Disagreed that their line manager
resolves conflict amongst team
members.
154
Agrees that their line manager
delegates authority and
independence.
6 Disagreed that their line manager
delegates authority and
independence.
250
Agrees that their line manager
communicates reasons for
changes and decisions.
11 Disagreed that their line manager
communicates reasons for
changes and decisions.
245
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Table 2.
360 Feedback from customers
(Department A total of 145 responses were received, 256 did not respond).
Agreed that the goods and services
on offer were value for money
101 Disagreed that the goods and
services on offer were value for
money
44
Agreed that delivery of products
and services were timely from point
of sale to delivery.
45 Disagreed that delivery of products
and services were timely from point
of sale to delivery.
100
Agreed that the quality of goods
and services were acceptable
114 Disagreed that the quality of goods
and services were acceptable
31
Agreed that customer services
were assessable and responsive to
all calls.
34 Disagreed that customer services
were assessable and responsive to
all calls.
111
Agreed that all complaints were
dealt with in. a timely and
professional manner
54 Disagreed that all complaints were
dealt with in. a timely and
professional manner
91
Agreed that they the after sales
services were good.
27 Disagreed that they the after sales
services were good.
118
Agreed that their initial enquiry was
handled in a timely and
professional manner.
3 Disagreed that their initial enquiry
was handled in a timely and
professional manner.
142
Agreed that on receipt of goods
that packaging was acceptable in
protecting the goods.
143 Disagreed that on receipt of goods
that packaging was acceptable in
protecting the goods.
2
Agreed that they would
recommend the company to a
friend or business
98 Disagreed that they would
recommend the company to a
friend or business
47
Agreed that the range of products
and services was sufficient to
satisfy their requirements.
31 Disagreed that the range of
products and services was
sufficient to satisfy their
requirements.
114
▪ From this analysis, graphically present your findings using three or more different methods
(3.3).
▪ Identify the key systems and data used within effective people practices, to give insights by
measuring work and people performance (3.2)
▪ Explain how people practices add value in an organisation and identify methods that might
be used to measure the impact of people practices (3.4)
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The annual performance reviews for Department ‘A’ last year were scored using a ratings scale
from 6 = high performer to 1= low performer.
Any employee scoring 4 and above received a £400.00 bonus in their monthly pay.
The budget allocation per department for bonuses last year was £75,000.
Figures from Department ‘A’ for last year were:
– 112 employees received a score of 6
– 98 employees received a score of 5
– 35 employees received a score of 4
– 43 employees received a score of 3 or below
▪ Using a variety of measurement tools and techniques and the data provided in tables 1, 2 &
3, explain the likely impact and value of these aspects of people practice currently in place
in Department ‘A’. What other people practice measures might usefully be employed in
Department ‘A’? (3.4)
Your evidence must consist of:
▪ Data analysis and review documents (approximately 1000) refer to CIPD wordcount policy.
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Assessment Criteria Evidence Checklist –
Use this as a checklist to make sure that you have included the required evidence to meet
the task. Please enter the evidence title and where it can be referred to. An example has
been provided for you.
Task 1 – Briefing paper
Assessment criteria
Evidenced
Y/N
Evidence reference
1.1 Evaluate the concept of evidence-based
practice including how it can be applied
to decision-making in people practice.
Briefing paper.
1.2 Evaluate a range of analysis tools and
methods including how they can be
applied to diagnose organisational
issues, challenges and opportunities.
1.3 Explain the principles of critical thinking
including how you apply these to your
own and others’ ideas.
1.4 Assess how different ethical perspectives
can influence decision making.
2.2 Review relevant evidence to identify key
insights into a people practice issue.
2.3 Explain a range of decision-making
processes to identify potential solutions
to a specific people practice issue.
2.4 Provide a rationale for your decision
based on evaluation of the benefits, risks
and financial implications of potential
solutions.
3.1 Appraise different ways organisations
measure financial and non-financial
performance.
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Task 2 – Data analysis and review
Assessment criteria
Evidenced
Y/N
Evidence reference
2.1 Interpret analytical data using
appropriate analysis tools and methods.
Data analysis and review
presentation
3.2 Scrutinise key systems and data used to
inform people practice in relation to
measures of work and people
performance calculations.
3.3 Collate key findings for stakeholders from
people practice activities and initiatives.
3.4 Measure the impact and value of people
practice using a variety of methods.
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Declaration of Authentication
Declaration by learner
I can confirm that this assessment is all my own work and where I have used materials from other sources, they have been properly acknowledged.
Learner name:
Learner signature:
Date:
Declaration by Assessor
I confirm that I am satisfied that to the best of my knowledge, the work produced is solely that of the learner.
Assessor name:
Assessor signature:
Date:
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5CO02
Evidence-based practice
Assessment Criteria marking descriptors.
Assessors will mark in line with the following assessment criteria (AC) marking descriptors, and will
indicate where the learner sits within the marking band range for each AC.
Assessors must provide a mark from 1 to 4 for each assessment criteria within the unit. Assessors
should use the mark descriptor grid as guidance so they can provide comprehensive feedback that
is developmental for learners. Please be aware that not all the mark descriptors will be present in
every assessment criterion, so assessors must use their discretion in making grading decisions.
The grid below shows the range for each unit assessment result based on total number of marks
awarded across all assessment criteria.
To pass the unit assessment learners must achieve a 2 (Low Pass) or above for each of the
assessment criteria.
The overall result achieved will dictate the outcome the learner receives for the unit, provided
NONE of the assessment criteria have been failed or referred.
Please note that learners will receive a Pass or Fail result from the CIPD at unit level. Referral
grades can be used internally by the centre.
Overall mark Unit result
0 to 23 Fail
24 to 30 Low Pass
31 to 39 Pass
40 to 48 High Pass
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Marking Descriptors
Mark Range Descriptor
1 Fail Insufficient demonstration of knowledge, understanding or skills (as appropriate) required to meet the AC.
Insufficient examples included, where required, to support answers.
Presentation and structure of assignment is not appropriate and does not meet the assessment brief.
2 Low Pass Demonstrates an acceptable level of knowledge, understanding or skills (as appropriate) required to meet the AC.
Sufficient and acceptable examples included, where required, to support answers.
Required format adopted but some improvement required to the structure and presentation of the assignment.
Answers are acceptable but could be clearer in responding to the task and presented in a more coherent way.
3 Pass
Demonstrates good knowledge, understanding or skills (as appropriate) required to meet the AC.
Includes confident use of examples, where required, to support each answer.
Presentation and structure of assignment is appropriate for the assessment brief.
Answers are clear and well expressed.
4 High Pass Demonstrates a wide range and confident level of knowledge, understanding or skill (as appropriate).
Includes strong examples that illustrate the point being made, that link and support the answer well.
Answers are applied to the case organisation or an alternative organisation.
Answers are clear, concise and well argued, directly respond to what has been asked.
The presentation of the assignment is well structured, coherent and focusses on the need of the questions.
Includes clear evidence of the use of references to wider reading to help inform answer.
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Marking grid
Task two: Assessment criteria Mark 1- 4
2.1 Interpret analytical data using appropriate analysis tools and methods.
3.2 Scrutinise key systems and data used to inform people practice in
relation to measures of work and people performance calculations.
3.3 Collate key findings for stakeholders from people practice activities and
initiatives.
3.4 Measure the impact and value of people practice using a variety of
methods.
Total for this task
Total marks for unit
Task 1 – Assessment criteria Mark 1 – 4
1.1 Evaluate the concept of evidence-based practice including how it can be
applied to decision-making in people practice.
1.2 Evaluate a range of analysis tools and methods including how they
can be applied to diagnose organisational issues, challenges and
opportunities.
1.3 Explain the principles of critical thinking including how you apply these
to your own and others’ ideas.
1.4 Assess how different ethical perspectives can influence decision making.
2.2 Review relevant evidence to identify key insights into a people practice
issue.
2.3 Explain a range of decision-making processes to identify potential
solutions to a specific people practice issue.
2.4 Provide a rationale for your decision based on evaluation of the benefits,
risks and financial implications of potential solutions.
3.1 Appraise different ways organisations measure financial and non-
financial performance.
Total for this task