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.