Students' perception about logbooks: advantages, limitation and recommendation - a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE To identify students' perception concerning advantages, limitations and recommendations about logbooks. METHODS In this qualitative-phenomenology study, conducted from January to December 2010, 14 undergraduate nursing students were selected by random sampling. The study was done in the neonatal intensive care unit and paediatrics ward of a regional hospital in Bojnord, Iran. At the beginning of the courses, the tutor explained the specific objectives of the core curriculum and how to complete the logbooks. During the course, formative assessment and related feedback were noted down. At the end, two semi-structured focus groups were generated. All interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed for emerging themes and concepts. RESULTS Based on content analysis, three advantages and four limitations of logbooks were identified and recommendations were noted. CONCLUSIONS An appropriate logbook should be inexpensive, feasible and acceptable to students and should allow rapid collection of valid, relevant and reliable data. However, its methodology needs to be revised.