Evidence for the validity of 360 dimensions in the presence of rater-source factors.

Abstract

Empirical research on the structure of 360-degree feedback ratings indicates that the source of the ratings (e.g., superiors, peers, subordinates) explains more variance than do the performance dimensions or competencies being measured. One alarming implication of this finding from studies of the internal validity of 360 ratings is that there appears to be little evidence to support the common practice of interpreting 360s in terms of dimension scores. To address whether rater-source factors are so pronounced that they should preclude the use of dimension scores, we considered the question from an external validity perspective and developed and tested a personality-based nomological network ..