Anecdotal Records

Test and Measurement

Lemuel Razalan

Anecdotal record
An anecdotal record is an observation 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
Anecdotal Records are detailed, narrative descriptions of an incident involving one or several children. They are
focused narrative accounts of a specific event. They are used to document unique behaviors and skills of a child or a
small group of children. Anecdotal Records may be written as behavior occurs or at a later time

 It is an 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 contribution to a judgement about a
student
Characteristic of an Anecdotal record

 It should have a factual description of what happened, when it happened, and under what circumstances the
behavior occurred.
 The interpretations and recommended action should be noted separately from the subscription
 Each anecdotal record should contain records of single incident
 The incident to be recorded should be that is considered to be significant to the student's growth and
development of example
 Simple reports of behavior
 Results of direct observation
 Accurate and specific
 Give a context of child’s behavior
 Records typical or unusual behavior
Purpose of an Anecdotal record

 To furnish the multiplicity of evidence needed for good cumulative record

 To substitute for vague generalizations about student’s specific exact description of behavior
 To simulate teachers to look for information 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 his/her/? pupil in a realistic manner
 It provides an opportunity for healthy teacher-pupil relationship
 It can be maintained in the areas of behavior that cannot be evaluated by a 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 behavior better
 Can be used by students for self-appraisal and peer assessment
Guidelines in making Anecdotal record

 Keep a notebook handy to make brief notes as a reminder of incidents to include in the record, and also
name, time and setting in notes
 Write the record as soon as possible after the event, the longer it was left, the more subjective and vaguer
the observation will become
 Write in the record the time, name of the 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
 Records should be complete
 It should be filed and complied
 It should be emphasized as an educational resource
 The teacher should have practice and training in making observations and writing records
Uses of Anecdotal records

 Records unusual events, such as accidents

 Records children's behavior, skills and interest for planning purposes
 Records how an individual is progressing in a specific area of development
 It provides means of communication between 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
Advantages of using Anecdotal Records

 Supplements and validates of other structured instruments

 Provision of insight into total behavioral incidents
 Needs no special training
 Uses formative feedback
 Economical and easy to develop
 Open ended and can catch unexpected events
 Can select behavior or events of interest and ignore others or can sample a wide range of behaviors
Disadvantages

 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