What does the term 'concurrent validity' refer to in assessment?

The term 'concurrent validity' refers specifically to the extent to which two different instruments or measures agree when assessing the same characteristics at the same time. This form of validity is vital in evaluating whether a new assessment tool yields results that are comparable to a well-established tool that measures the same construct. In practical terms, if two assessment methods are found to produce similar outcomes when applied to the same population simultaneously, it bolsters the credibility of the new method being tested.

This concept is crucial in various fields, including talent development, where it allows professionals to ensure that the tools they are utilizing for assessments and evaluations are reliable and valid. When selecting or developing assessment tools, demonstrating concurrent validity means that an organization can confidently interpret the results in a consistent manner with existing tools, thereby improving decision-making based on those results.