Module code: HRPYC81
Research report for project 4809
Assignment 42
Title: What motivates people to do volunteer work?
Van Wyk, M
64067912
October/November 2018
Page | 1
,Table of contents
Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….pg.3
1. Literature review
1.1. Defining volunteerism and motivation…………………………………………………………………pg. 4-5
1.2. Motivations for volunteerism according to research……………………………………………pg. 5-6
1.3. Altruistic vs Egoistic …………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 6-7
1.4. Benefits and factors that influences volunteers
to stay with a particular organisation…………………………………………………………………..pg. 7-8
2. Research Rationale……………………………………………………………………………………………………..pg. 8-9
3. The aims of the research…………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 9
4. Methodology
4.1. Research Design………………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 10
4.2. Participants…………………………………………………………………………………………………………pg. 11-12
4.3. The interviews…………………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 12
4.4. Data analysis……………………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 12-14
4.5. Trustworthiness (Validity and Reliability)…………………………………………………………….pg. 14-15
4.6. Ethical considerations…………………………………………………………………………………………pg. 16-17
5. Results: Discussion of themes
5.1. Religion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………pg. 18-19
5.2. Building friendships (social relations)…………………………………………………………………pg. 19
5.3. Personal satisfaction…………………………………………………………………………………………..pg. 19-20
5.4. The nature of the organisation……………………………………………………………………………pg. 20-21
5.5. The act of giving (personality)…………………………………………………………………………….pg. 21
6. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………pg. 22
7. Reference List…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 23-24
Page | 2
, What motivates people to do volunteer work?
Abstract:
The aim of this research was to explore and determine what motivates people to do
volunteer work. The nature of the research conducted was qualitative. Three individuals
from different ages (20-30 years), gender and occupations were selected to ensure that the
participants were individually different.
The participants were interviewed individually were they were asked a variety of different
questions related to their experiences as volunteers. The interviews were transcribed
verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.
Five themes complex motives emerge as result of the study. These findings included
religion, personal satisfaction, nature of organisation, building personal relationships, and
the act of giving. Most of the volunteers reported having more than one motive for enrolling
as volunteers
Of these findings it was clear that a combination of altruistic and egoistic factors motivated
individuals to partake in volunteerism. Personality as an in depth factor can be explored
more to understand what effect personality has on the motivation of an individual.
Results show there are a variety of reasons and factors that motivate individuals to
volunteer.
Page | 3
Research report for project 4809
Assignment 42
Title: What motivates people to do volunteer work?
Van Wyk, M
64067912
October/November 2018
Page | 1
,Table of contents
Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….pg.3
1. Literature review
1.1. Defining volunteerism and motivation…………………………………………………………………pg. 4-5
1.2. Motivations for volunteerism according to research……………………………………………pg. 5-6
1.3. Altruistic vs Egoistic …………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 6-7
1.4. Benefits and factors that influences volunteers
to stay with a particular organisation…………………………………………………………………..pg. 7-8
2. Research Rationale……………………………………………………………………………………………………..pg. 8-9
3. The aims of the research…………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 9
4. Methodology
4.1. Research Design………………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 10
4.2. Participants…………………………………………………………………………………………………………pg. 11-12
4.3. The interviews…………………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 12
4.4. Data analysis……………………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 12-14
4.5. Trustworthiness (Validity and Reliability)…………………………………………………………….pg. 14-15
4.6. Ethical considerations…………………………………………………………………………………………pg. 16-17
5. Results: Discussion of themes
5.1. Religion………………………………………………………………………………………………………………pg. 18-19
5.2. Building friendships (social relations)…………………………………………………………………pg. 19
5.3. Personal satisfaction…………………………………………………………………………………………..pg. 19-20
5.4. The nature of the organisation……………………………………………………………………………pg. 20-21
5.5. The act of giving (personality)…………………………………………………………………………….pg. 21
6. Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………pg. 22
7. Reference List…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….pg. 23-24
Page | 2
, What motivates people to do volunteer work?
Abstract:
The aim of this research was to explore and determine what motivates people to do
volunteer work. The nature of the research conducted was qualitative. Three individuals
from different ages (20-30 years), gender and occupations were selected to ensure that the
participants were individually different.
The participants were interviewed individually were they were asked a variety of different
questions related to their experiences as volunteers. The interviews were transcribed
verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.
Five themes complex motives emerge as result of the study. These findings included
religion, personal satisfaction, nature of organisation, building personal relationships, and
the act of giving. Most of the volunteers reported having more than one motive for enrolling
as volunteers
Of these findings it was clear that a combination of altruistic and egoistic factors motivated
individuals to partake in volunteerism. Personality as an in depth factor can be explored
more to understand what effect personality has on the motivation of an individual.
Results show there are a variety of reasons and factors that motivate individuals to
volunteer.
Page | 3
