This paper summarizes a review of the recent literature in search of evidence for the validity of industrial assessment centers. The topic is divided into two parts: (1) the evidence regarding the validity of several of the individual assessment techniques that are used in industrial assessment centers; and (2) the evidence concerning the validity…

Traditional promotion examinations provide limited knowledge of candidates' decision-making, administrative, and leadership skills. Having assessment center evaluators review documentation of work history related to dimensions of the job adds additional information that can improve the effectiveness of prediction of future performance. (SK)

Comparisons with appraisals by supervisors, peers, and subordinates suggest that self-appraisals show more leniency, less variability, and less discriminant validity. Self-appraisals show less halo. Self-appraisals significantly correlate with other sources in some studies and fail to correlate in many others. (Author)

The research literature on the psychometric properties of self-appraisals of work performance summarizes many results in terms of leniency, variability, halo, and construct validity. Comparisons with appraisals tend to show more leniency, less variability, more bias, and less discriminant validity. Different factor structures are found among self-…