Connie, I've found that it helps to be very picky about the author's background and credentials. Generally, a scholar recognized as an authority in his/her field, who has published repeatedly in peer-reviewed, scholarly journals, is likely to be as helpful/reliable a source as any. Subjecting research to the scrutiny of peers helps minimize--though not eliminate--unfounded biases. As others have said, you can't get rid of them entirely.
This is where your own thinking skills come in, as well as the willingness to read from both ends of the spectrum, from those established scholars with a more secular, revisionist perspective as well as those who are conservative. You'll eventually come to your own conclusion, one that accords with your own world view. But it's not a quick or easy journey.
Try Richard Friedman--he's a solid scholar who lays out the evidence for his perspective clearly and methodically, though more toward the liberal/secular end of things. I also like Mark Smith for the socio-cultural history of Israel and the fascinating development of Israelite monotheism, though he's not especially easy to get through.
