Although management is not considered a science and at best is acknowl

Here is the OA
Solution:
Step 1 – Analysing the stimulus and question stem
Although management is not considered a science and at best is acknowledged as a half science,

This is a counter premise indicating a generally held opinion:
Management is not thought to be a science. At best it is thought to be a half-science.
it is in fact a genuine scientific subject for it has an organized body of knowledge which contains some universal truths.

Conclusion of the author (the point he wants to make despite the above premise):
Management is actually a genuine scientific subject.
Supporting reason: Management has an organized body of knowledge . This knowledge has some universal truths.
It uses scientific methods such as cause and effect relationships and statistical tests of validity & predictability to examine questions it raises.

Another premise supporting the conclusion:
Management as a subject uses certain methods and tests to examine questions it raises.


Step 2 – Pre-thinking
1. The author’s conclusion goes against the popular belief. The author considers management a scientific subject on the basis of the fact that management

a.has an organized body of knowledge . This knowledge has some universal truths.

b. uses certain methods and tests to examine questions it raises.

2. Missing Link:

a. So the author links two things:

i. A subject being called a science

1. and

ii. The subject having an organized body of knowledge

iii. The subject using certain methods and tests to examine questions it raises.

3. Assumption: If a subject possesses an organized body of knowledge and uses certain scientific methods and tests to examine questions it raises, then that subject is a genuine science subject

A.
If a field of study can conclusively answer the questions it raises, then it is a genuine science.

Option A Feedback:
Answering the questions conclusively has not been given as a criteria for establishing a subject as a “genuine scientific subject”. The criteria given is that certain methods and tests are used to answer questions. Whether the answers are conclusive is a mere distortion.

Incorrect Choice.

B.
Since management uses scientific methods, it will produce credible theories.

Option B Feedback:
What kind of theories management studies produce is irrelevant to the conclusion.

Incorrect Choice.

C.
Any enterprise that does not have an organized body of knowledge and does not use statistical tests is not a genuine science.

Option C Feedback:
First thing about this choice that is off is the use of the word “enterprise” to refer to a subject.

Second, there could be other criteria besides the ones mentioned in the passage that could define a subject as “genuine science”.

So even if a subject/enterprise does not have an organized body of knowledge and does not use statistical tests is not a genuine science, it could have other qualities that could put it in the category of a genuine science. This choice is a distortion of the given information.

Incorrect Choice.

D.
Any field of study that has an organized body of knowledge and uses scientific methods is a genuine science.

Correct Option
Your Selection
Option D Feedback:
This is in line with our pre-thinking.

Correct Choice.

E.
Since management raises relevant questions they can be verified statistically.

Option E Feedback:
“Raising of questions” and their “statistical verification” is not the scope of the conclusion. This choice has no impact on the conclusion. Out of scope.

Incorrect Choice.