What term describes the closeness of a measurement to its true value?

The correct term that describes the closeness of a measurement to its true value is geometric accuracy. This concept is fundamental in geospatial data, as it assesses how accurately the geographic features represented in a dataset correspond to their real-world counterparts. When evaluating the quality and reliability of spatial data, geometric accuracy indicates the extent to which spatial data correctly represents the positions of objects on the Earth's surface. High geometric accuracy involves having coordinates or locations that are very close to the actual measurements, ensuring that the information being used for analysis or decision-making is as precise as possible.

In contrast, spatial resolution refers to the level of detail in a dataset, which is determined by the size of the smallest measurable units. Thematic resolution deals with how well a dataset categorizes or classifies specific themes or attributes within the data. Lastly, attribute reliability focuses on the accuracy and dependability of the data's attributes or characteristics, rather than their spatial positioning. Each of these terms covers different aspects of data quality, but geometric accuracy specifically measures the alignment of measurements with their true values.