Abstract: The Audio-frequency Magnetotelluric (AMT) sounding method is an electrical exploration technique widely used for shallow to medium-depth geological investigations. Its data quality is influenced by various factors, including cultural electromagnetic interference, electrode polarization, and grounding resistance. This study focuses on the impact of electrode polarization and grounding resistance on AMT data quality. First, the mechanisms of electrode polarization and the influence of grounding resistance on apparent resistivity and impedance phase are theoretically analyzed. Then, based on measured data, the effects of electrode polarization and grounding resistance on apparent resistivity and phase curves are investigated. Finally, a comparative analysis of 2D inversion results from field data is conducted to reveal how grounding resistance affects geological interpretation. The results indicate that electrode polarization significantly degrades data quality in the low-frequency band, though this can be mitigated through data processing techniques, while its effect on high-frequency data is negligible. Unstable grounding resistance mainly influences the high-frequency range, causing notable reductions in apparent resistivity and phase, which gradually stabilize toward the low-frequency band. Moreover, unstable grounding resistance may lead to inversion results that deviate from the true geoelectrical structure, thereby resulting in erroneous geological interpretations. The findings of this study provide important guidance for field data acquisition and processing.