ANECDOTAL RECORDS for BSc Nursing students

Nursing administration and management

1. ANECDOTAL RECORDS Prof. (Dr.) Geeta Chaudhary

2. INTRODUCTION The anecdotal record is a brief description of an obsessed behavior that appears significant for evaluation purposes. It is an verbal snapshot of an incident.

3. DEFINITION   An anecdotal record is a running description of actual examples of behavior of a student as observed by teachers and the counselor. It is followed by his comments. These are descriptive accounts of episodes or occurrences in the daily life of student . (Brown and Martin) Anecdotal record is a record of some significant item of conduct, a record of an episode in the life of student, 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)

4. CONT.. Anecdotal record as the name implies, involves setting down an anecdote concerning some aspects of student behavior which seems significant to the observer. (Tandler)

5. Meaning Informal device used by the teacher to record behaviour of students as observed by him from time to time. Teacher will note down the important happenings pertaining to a pupil for future reference. The teacher describes the events he observed carefully and writes his comments , takes the signature of student.He will also sign and keep it into the file and will be considered for evaluating the particular student.

6. CONT.. It provides a lasting record of behaviour of students which may be useful later in contributing to a judgement about a student. It gives useful information concerning an individual. The observes should be objective and has to mention various kind of social relationship in which the children a individual takes part e.g. parent-child interaction

7. Characteristics of anecdotal record   It is tactical recording only of the actual event incident or observation. It is a record of only one incident . It is a record of an incident which is considered important of significant in the growth and development of the student.

8. Purposes of Anecdotal record To finish the multiplicity of evidence needed for good cumulative record. To simulate teacher to look for information i.e. pertinent in helping each student realize good self adjustment. To substitute for vague generalization about students specific exact description of behavior.

9. Cont.. To understand individual’s basic personality pattern and his reactions in different situation. The teacher is able to understand her pupil in a realistic manner. It provides an opportunity for healthy pupil teacher relationship.

10. Cont.. It can be maintained in the areas of behavior that cannot be evaluated by other systematic methods. Helps the students to improve their behavior ,as it is a direct feedback of an entire observed incident the student can analyze his behavior better. Useful in supplementing and validity observations made by other means. Can be used by students for self-appraisal & peer assessment.

11. Advantages : These records help in clinical service practices. They stimulate teacher to use the records and contribute to them. They record critical incidents of spontaneous behavior in natural setting. They direct the teachers attention to a single student

12. Cont.. They provide cumulative record of growth and developments. They can be used by the counselor as source of information for giving evidence. They provide specific and exact description of personality and minimizes generalization.

13. Cont.. They provide more and complete description of behavior better suited to understanding and guiding students than the other observational tools available. The new members may use these records acquaint themselves with the students. Easy to develop. Economical

14. Disadvantage If carelessly recorded, the purpose will not be fulfilled. They are time consuming to write. It is difficult for the observer to maintained objectivity. The observer tends to record only undesirable incidents and neglect the positive incidents. Concentrate on only one or two behaviors.  

15. Precautions used while anecdotal records Record enough of the situations to decrease subjectivity. Record the incident as soon as possible after its occurrence minimum time gap to record is necessary to avoid too much dependence on memory. This will increase its objectivity, validity & reliability. Limit each anecdotal to a brief description of a single specific incident.

16. Cont.. The teacher should have practice and training in making observation and writing anecdotal records. Record both positive and negative incidents and consider both in making inferences. Relate anecdotal records directly to the clinical objectives

17. Form style Name of the school/college……………….. Name of the student observed……………… Class……………………………………… Subject……………………………………. Area of posting……………………………. Name of observer…………………………. Objective description…………………….. Comments of the observer………………. Date…………………………………….. Time…………………………………….   signature of the observer

18. USE OF ANECDOTAL RECORDS IN NURSING Anecdotal notes are frequently used in nursing education for recording data about the student’s practice and reliability. Anecdotal records help in clinical service practices. Anecdotal records can be used by the counselor as a source of information for giving evidence

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