Concurrent validity

Concurrent validity is a parameter used in sociology, psychology, and other psychometric or behavioral sciences. Concurrent validity is demonstrated where a test correlates well with a measure that has previously been validated. The two measures may be for the same construct, or for different, but presumably related, constructs.

For example, if a test measuring job satisfaction gives similar results to those gathered using a job satisfaction which has been validated in past investigations the new measurement has concurrent validity. Alternately, a measure of job satisfaction might be correlated with work performance. Note that with concurrent validity, the two measures are taken at the same time. This is in contrast to predictive validity, where one measure occurs earlier, and is meant to predict, some later measure.