Abstract

This paper explores the alignment of transparent reporting with stakeholder priorities for enhancement of scientific integrity. Different priorities naturally lead to emphasis on different levels in the design of production, dissemination, and usage processes, which in turn correspond to differing degrees of emphasis on multiple criteria for transparency and scientific integrity. The discussion places special emphasis on two issues: (i) trade-offs among relevance, accuracy and comparability; and (ii) assertions regarding causality based on limited observational data.