The system of evaluation where an employee is measured against his/her coworkers is called:

Appeared in: AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)

Explanation

The defining feature of the ranking method is that it is a relative evaluation, not an absolute one.
In this system, an employee's performance is judged in direct comparison to their peers within the same group.
The output is an ordered list of employees from highest to lowest performer, for example, ranking the top 10% and bottom 10% of staff nurses on a unit.

Option B: Graphic records, or graphic rating scales, evaluate an employee against a fixed set of standards or criteria (e.g., rating 'Teamwork' on a scale of 1 to 5).
Option C: The critical incidents method involves documenting specific examples of an employee's exceptionally good or poor performance throughout the evaluation period.
Option D: Reports, or essay evaluations, are narrative descriptions of an employee's performance, strengths, and areas for improvement. It is a descriptive method, not a structured comparative system.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Performance Appraisal Methods as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurse Managers are responsible for conducting performance appraisals for their staff. Understanding different methods is crucial for fair and effective evaluation.
Using a ranking system can create a competitive environment, which may be detrimental to the teamwork and collaboration essential in a nursing unit.
Most healthcare settings prefer methods like graphic rating scales combined with critical incidents, as they provide specific feedback for professional development while measuring against established standards of care.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core concept of the question. The question asks for a specific type of employee evaluation system.
Next, pinpoint the key phrase: "measured against his/her coworkers." This is the defining characteristic.
Analyze the options based on this key phrase. Ask yourself which method is inherently comparative between employees.
Recall the definitions: 'Ranking' is a relative comparison. 'Graphic records' use an absolute scale. 'Critical incidents' are behavioral logs. 'Reports' are descriptive.
Match the key phrase "measured against...coworkers" to the definition of 'Ranking' to find the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing_Management_and_leadership_Johny_Kutty_JosephCbs_Publishers (pp 16-364 of 374) p. 191-193

Practise the full AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.