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.
• 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 behaviour
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 behaviour, 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.
SUBITHA BABU
