A theory's _____ is assessed by how much of the empirical world falls under its explanatory umbrella relative to other theories.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The term "explanatory umbrella" in the question suggests that we are looking for a theory's breadth of explanation, which is typically referred to as the theory's scope. Predictive accuracy (A) is important in assessing a theory's reliability, but it does not capture the full extent of a theory's explanatory power. Simplicity (C) and falsifiability (D) are also important criteria for evaluating theories, but they do not directly speak to the theory's scope.

A Theory's _____ Is Assessed by How Much of the Empirical