Final answer:
The factor contributing to the proliferation of evidence-based practice and management is critical thinking and research-based decision-making, as it involves the use of scientific methods to make informed decisions supported by empirical evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the options provided, the factor that has contributed to the proliferation of evidence-based practice and evidence-based management is c) Critical thinking and research-based decision-making. This approach involves a rigorous process of collecting and analyzing data, formulating hypotheses, conducting experiments to test these hypotheses, and revising the hypotheses based on evidence. Rejecting or ignoring research findings, relying on intuition, or disregarding empirical evidence would be antithetical to the foundations of evidence-based practices in any field, including business, healthcare, and education.
Evidence-based practices encourage the use of critical thinking and the scientific method to evaluate the credibility of information, scrutinize various sources, and make informed decisions that can withstand empirical scrutiny. This discipline is necessary to navigate through complex phenomena and to ensure that practices and decisions are grounded in reliable and valid evidence.
Therefore, it's clear that the correct answer to the question is c) Critical thinking and research-based decision-making, as it aligns with principles of evidence-based practice which include critical thinking, the scientific method, and critical evaluation of information sources.