What is meant by ‘evidence from practitioners’?

When referring to ‘evidence from practitioners’ we mean evidence based on professional experience, understanding, skill, and expertise of practitioners that is accumulated over time. This type of evidence is sometimes  referred to as ‘tacit’ knowledge.

There are many practitioners who have been working in the field of management for many years, and their knowledge is vital for determining whether the a management issue is indeed an issue, business data are reliable, outcome of scientific research applicable, and the proposed solution, given the context and characteristics of the organization, feasible. Evidence from practitioners, therefore, must always be taken into account in the decision-making process. 

Evidence is not answers. Evidence doesn’t tell you what to do, but helps you to make a better decision. Professional insight and past experience are therefore vital for determining whether evidence from the organization is reliable and the evidence from the scientific literature is applicable.

See also The role of management expertise in EBMgt