OBSERVSTION CHECKLIST

INTRODUCTION

An observation checklist is the most commonly used instrument for performance

evaluation. A checklist enables the observer to note only whether the trait is
present or not. It consists of a listing of steps, activities or behaviour the observer
records when an incident occurs.
The observer has to judge whether certain behaviour has taken place
Observation checklist is simply a list of the performer’s behaviours associated with
particular nursing interventions within a space for the assessor to check or tick off
whether or not that particular behaviour occurred

DEFINITIONS OF CHECKLIST

 A checklist is a simple instrument consisting prepared list of expected items

of performance or attributes, which are checked by a evaluator for their
presence or absence.
 Checklists are constructed by breaking a performance and the quality of a
product, which specifies the presence or absence of an attribute or trait
which is then `checked’ by the rater/observer.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A CHECKLIST

 Observe one respondent at one time

 Clearly specifies the characteristics of the behaviour to be observed
 Use only carefully prepared checklists to avoid more complex traits
 The observer should be trained how to observe, what to observe and how to
record the observed behaviour
  Use checklist only when you are interested in calculating a particular
characteristic.

CONSTRUCTION OF A CHECKLIST

 While constructing or preparing checklist, the following points should be

kept in mind:
 Express each item in clear, simple language
 An intensive survey of the literature should be made to determine type of
checklist to be used in a particular assessment/evaluation
 The list of items in the checklist may be continuous or divided into groups of
related items
 These list of the items are formulated on the basis of the judgement of
experts and each item is evaluated with respect to the number of favourable
and unfavourable responses.
 Avoid negative statements whenever possible
 Avoid lifting statements verbatim from the text
 Ensure that each item has a clear response: yes or no, or true or false.
 Review the items independently.
 Checklists must have the quality of completeness and comprehensiveness

ADVANTAGES OF CHECKLISTS

 Checklist allow inter-individual comparisons

 They provide a simple method to record observations
 They are adaptable to subject matter areas
 Checklists are useful in evaluating learning activities expected to be
performed
 They are helpful in evaluating procedure work
 Properly prepared checklists allow the observer to constrain the direct
attention
 Checklists have objectivity to evaluate characteristics
  Useful for evaluating the processes that can be subdivided into a series of
actions
 Decreases the chances of errors in observation.

DISADVANTAGES OF CHECKLISTS

 checklist do not indicate quality of performance so the usefulness of

checklists is limited.
 Only a limited component of overall clinical performance can be evaluated
 Only the presence or absence of an attribute, behaviour or performance
parameter may be assessed
 It has limited use in qualitative observations
 Checklists are not easy to prepare