Why is C correct?

@Bryan, Happy to help. Let's take a look at (C) and (E). (E) says, "Dance forms are too variable across cultures to permit rigorous means of data collection." The problem with (E) is that we know the peers mentioned in line 22 did not believe that dance was a topic of intense scientific rigor. However, whether or not dance isn't a subject of scientific rigor because of there being a problem in collecting data (or some other sort of problem) is not discussed in the passage, so we can get rid of (E). (C) says, "Research into dance as a cultural form cannot be conducted with a high degree of scientific precision." We see in the peers in line 22 have a relatively negative attitude, as their belief is that dance wasn't worth studying and was not scientifically rigorous. (C) touches upon this well, so it's the correct answer choice. Does this answer your question? Let us know if you'd like any more clarification!

My issue is still with the term "Precision". It seems like a bit of a jump to go from lacking scientific rigor befitting a social scientist to lacking "precision". I see its the "most" right answer but it just doesn't feel right

what about B?

The passage tells us that the peers in question prefer the rigorous scientific method when possible. The passage later tells us around line 35 that the prevailing method of scientific rigor was to collect data with detachment from the subject. So, those peers would have had to believe that data collection did not necessitate deep immersion in the tradition in question. I don't see any support for the idea that other social scientists think that dance experts are too preoccupied to conduct ethnology.