@cedricvelghe sent me this document by Ben Goldacre and it sure is a good read. Ben Goldacre is a doctor and academic who writes about problems in science and evidence based policy, with his Guardian column “Bad Science” for a decade, and the bestselling book of the same name. He is currently a Research Fellow in Epidemiology at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

In this text he looks at the link between evidence based medicin and evidence based education and put some important issues straight. He thinks teachers can adapt to evidence based education in one generation and argues there is a big gain possible, but at the same time he isn’t blind for the limitations.

The conclusion is one I can subscribe to:

“Now we recognise that being a good doctor, or teacher, or manager, isn’t about robotically following the numerical output of randomised trials; nor is it about ignoring the evidence, and following your hunches and personal experiences instead. We do best, by using the right combination of skills to get the best job done.”

You can read the whole text here.