Perhaps the most important function of precision experimental tests (all of them, not just ours), is to provide very tight constraints for new theories. Any successful new theory of physics must ultimately explain more observed phenomena than existing theory. If experiment is more sensitive than existing theories, it can provide a quick checksum for whether a new theory is correct.
Furthermore, if a precision measurement is able to show that existing theory is not quite correct, it can lead the way to better theories.
In the field of precision gravity, Newton's and Einstein's theories have been perhaps frustratingly correct. At present, nobody knows if/how the "Standard Model" and gravity might connect. They're mathematically incompatible.
With respect to any existing literature, most physicists' position might be approximately summarized as, "Trust, but verify."
Perhaps the most important function of precision experimental tests (all of them, not just ours), is to provide very tight constraints for new theories. Any successful new theory of physics must ultimately explain more observed phenomena than existing theory. If experiment is more sensitive than existing theories, it can provide a quick checksum for whether a new theory is correct.
Furthermore, if a precision measurement is able to show that existing theory is not quite correct, it can lead the way to better theories.
In the field of precision gravity, Newton's and Einstein's theories have been perhaps frustratingly correct. At present, nobody knows if/how the "Standard Model" and gravity might connect. They're mathematically incompatible.
With respect to any existing literature, most physicists' position might be approximately summarized as, "Trust, but verify."