Bias in qualitative research is to thematic analysis as ____ is to quantitative research.

Bias in qualitative research is a pitfall of thematic analysis, just as measurement error is a pitfall of quantitative research. Both bias and measurement error distort the findings by introducing systematic inaccuracies. In qualitative work, a researcher’s preconceptions can color theme identification, while in quantitative work, errors in data collection or instrument calibration can skew numerical results. For example, if a survey uses poorly worded questions, respondents’ answers may systematically differ from the true values, leading to incorrect statistical conclusions. Recognizing these pitfalls helps researchers design more reliable studies.