ANECDOTAL RECORD

By- Nidhi Shukla

M.Sc. Nursing

OUTLINE

• Definition • Characteristics of anecdotal records • Purposes • Guidelines for making anecdotal records • Items in anecdotal records • Advantages of anecdotal records • Disadvantages of anecdotal records • Uses of anecdotal records

• ANECDOTAL RECORDS

Anecdotal Records

An anecdotal record is an observation that is written like a short story. They are descriptions of incidents or events that are important to the person observing. Anecdotal records are short, objective and as accurate as possible

Definition

• Anecdotal records is a record of some significant item of conduct, a record of an episode in the life of students, a word picture of the student in action, a word snapshot at the moment of the incident, any narration of events in which may be significant about his personality.

Randall.

Meaning

• Informal device used by the teacher to record behavior of students as observed by him from time to time.

• It provides a lasting record of behavior which may be useful later in contributing to a judgment about a student.

Characteristics of anecdotal records

• Anecdotal records must possess certain characteristics as given below-

• They should contain a factual descriptions of what happened, when it happened, and under what circumstances the behavior occurred.

• The interpretations and recommended action should be noted separately from the description.

• Each anecdotal record should contain a record of a single incident.

Contii…

• The incident recorded should be that is considered to be significant to the students growth and development of example.

• Simple reports of behavior• Result of direct observation.• Accurate and specific• Gives context of child's behavior• Records typical or unusual behaviors

PURPOSE

• To furnish the multiplicity of evidence needed for good cumulative record.

• To substitute for vague generalizations about students specific exact description of behaviour.

• To stimulate teachers to look for information i.e pertinent in helping each student realize good self- adjustment.

• To understand individual’s basic personality pattern and his reactions in different situations.

Conti..

• The teacher is able to understand her pupil in a realistic manner.

• It provides an opportunity for healthy pupil- teacher relationship.

• It can be maintained in the areas of behaviour that cannot be evaluated by other systematic method.

• Helps the students to improve their behavior, as it is a direct feedback of an entire observed incident, the student can analyze his behaviour better.

• Can be used by students for self-appraisal and peer assessment.

GUIDELINES FOR MAKING ANECDOTAL RECORD

• Keep a notebook handy to make brief notes to remind you of incidents you wish to include in the record. Also include the name, time and setting in your notes.

• Write the record as soon as possible after the event. The longer you leave it to write your anecdotal record, the more subjective and vague the observation will become.

• In your anecdotal record identify the time, child, date and setting

• Describe the actions and what was said.• Include the responses of other people if they relate to the

action.• Describe the event in the sequence that it occurred.• Record should be complete.• They should be compiled and filed.• They should be emphasized as an educational resource. • The teacher should have practice and training in making

observations and writing records.

ITEMS IN ANECDOTAL RECORDS

• To relate the incident correctly for drawing inferences the following items to be incorporated.

• The first part of an anecdotal record should be factual, simple and clear.

• Name of the students• Unit/ ward/ department• Date and time• Brief report of what happened.

Conti…

• The second part of an anecdotal record may include additional comments, analysis and conclusions based on interpretations and judgments.

• Descriptive reports- The instructor writes a brief report on student nurses performance over a given period. These reports are quite useful if instructor highlights student’s strength and weaknesses in a systematic way.

• Instructor decides what to include in a report and she may quite inconsistent unless she is guided by some kind of a structure. Otherwise these type of reports turn out to be subjective assessments.

ADVANTAGES OF ANECDOTAL RECORDS

• Supplements and validates of other structured instruments.• Provision of insight into total behavioral incidents.• Needs no special training.• Use of formative feedback.

Conti..

• Economical and easy to develop.• Open ended and can catch unexpected events.• Can select behaviors' or events of interest and ignore others,

or can sample a wide range of behaviors' (different times, environments and people).

DISADVANTAGES OF ANECDOTAL RECORDS

• If carelessly recorded, the purpose will not be fulfilled.• Only records events of interest to the person doing the

observing.• Quality of the record depends on the memory of the person

doing the observing.• Incidents can be taken out of context.

Conti..

• Subjectivity.• Lack of standardization.• Difficulty in scoring.• Time consuming.• May miss out on recording specific types of behaviour.• Limited application.

Uses of anecdotal records

• Record unusual events, such as accidents.• Record children's behavior, skills and interests for planning

purposes.• Record how an individual is progressing in a specific area of

development.• It provides a means of communication between the members

of the health care team and facilitates coordinated planning and continuity of care. It acts as a medium for data exchange between the health care team.

• Clear, complete, accurate and factual documentation provides a reliable, permanent record of patient care.