What is a common pitfall in qualitative thematic analysis that can lead to misinterpretation of data?

A common pitfall in thematic analysis is letting the researcher’s own assumptions drive the coding process instead of letting the data speak for itself. When analysts impose pre‑set categories, they may overlook or dismiss important patterns that don’t fit their expectations. This bias can create a narrative that feels convincing but actually misrepresents the participants’ true meanings. For example, a researcher might label all expressions of frustration as “anger” and miss subtle differences like disappointment or fear, thus distorting the study’s findings.