What does empirical adequacy measure?

Empirical adequacy measures the extent to which empirical indicators test the concepts of a theory. This means that empirical adequacy is concerned with how well the measurements, observations, or data gathered from the real world align with the theoretical constructs and predictions posited by the theory. In essence, it assesses whether the theoretical framework accurately reflects observable phenomena, thereby validating the theory's applicability and usefulness in explaining or predicting real-world situations. This is foundational in scientific inquiry, as it underlines the importance of grounding theoretical models in observable realities.

The other options focus on different aspects of theory evaluation: precision of predictions deals with the accuracy of future forecasts made by the theory; social acceptance looks at whether the theory is embraced by the broader community; and historical relevance assesses the significance or importance of a theory in past contexts. While all these factors can be relevant in evaluating a theory, they do not directly address the core concept of empirical adequacy, which is specifically about the match between theory and empirical evidence.