Diversity

Diversity can characterize a group or set in at least three different ways: 1) diversity within a kind due to specific variations, 2) diversity across different kinds, and 3) diversity in the composition of kinds within a set. When applied in a social justice context, the associated terms inclusion and equity note that the mere presence of diversity is insufficient to enable all group members to excel and contribute. In science, epistemological and ontological diversity also matter: different understandings of what knowledge and what reality is.
Modern science is characterized by theoretical and methodological pluralism as opposed to monism, with a diversity of theories and methods being available even within a single discipline. Robustness of a scientific result increases when it is obtained via diverse theories and methods, especially in interdisciplinary research. Moreover, when extra-academic stakeholders are included in transdisciplinary or participatory action research, additional diversity contributes to social robustness of insights. Such team diversity requires individual and team metacognition and reflection to support team collaboration and coherence.