Bias in relation to integrity

Integrity literally means “wholeness” and many biases in research reflect a lack of such wholeness because they involve (in)advertent selection of subsets of desirable results or arguments from a larger set of relevant results or arguments. 

Avoiding biases in research entails a responsible research practice as lack of bias in research is closely related to the core scientific norms of rigor and objectivity. The European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity defines the core principle of honesty as “honesty in developing, undertaking, reviewing, reporting and communicating research in a transparent, fair, full and unbiased way” (ALLEA, 2017, p. 4). 

So an honest scientists tries to counter biases in research as much as possible, and can do so by being open about choices, self-critical on his or her own fallibilities and the limitations of the study or the available evidence, rigorous (systematic and transparent) practices in collecting data and assessing arguments pro and con, and comprehensive in the reporting of results. Transparency further enhances accountability by allowing scientific peers to openly assess, debate, and correct any biases that might emerge during the research process or when assessing results, arguments, or persons.