Bourdon Method
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
The Bourdon method is a technique for studying attention where subjects cross out specific letters in printed text over a set time period. Results are evaluated based on the number of correctly crossed letters, incorrectly crossed letters, and missed letters to calculate an accuracy index.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
Bourdon Method, a method for studying attention: the subject is asked to cross out one or more letters from printed text within a certain time; when evaluating the results, the total number of crossed letters (s), the number incorrectly crossed (p), and the number erroneously missed (t) are taken into account, which allows calculating the accuracy index (a) by the formula: a = s~". Any printed text can be used as material for crossing out, which makes the method accessible for individual and mass research (specially prepared continuous incoherent text can also be used). The method is sometimes used in school practice, in psychotechnical examinations, and in the study of nervous and mentally ill patients.
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Cite this page
“Bourdon Method.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/bourdon-method/