Module code: HRPYC81
Research report for Project 4809
Assignment number: 42
Title of study: What motivates people to do volunteer work?
Surname: De Villiers Initials: A
Student number: 54706238
Examination period: October/November 2019
Page 1
, CONTENTS
1 TITLE OF STUDY …………………………………………………………… Page 3
2 ABSTRACT …………………………………………………………………….. Page 3
3 LITERATURE REVIEW …………………………………………………… Page 4
3.1 Delineating volunteerism …………………………….…….…………….. Page 4
3.2 Theories and models of volunteerism ……………..…….………….. Page 5
3.3 Perspectives on the motives for volunteerism …….….………….. Page 7
4 RESEARCH RATIONALE ………………………………………….….... Page 8
5 THE AIM/S OF THE RESEARCH ………………………………….…. Page 9
6 METHODOLOGY ……………………………………………………………. Page 9
6.1 Research design ……………………………………………………………... Page 9
6.2 Participants …………………………………………………………………..… Page 12
6.3 The interviews ……………………………………………………..…………. Page 15
6.4 Data analysis ……………………………………………………………..…… Page 16
6.5 Trustworthiness (reliability and validity) ………………………..….. Page 22
6.5.1 Credibility……………………………………………………………………….……………… Page 22
6.5.2 Transferability………………………………………………………………………………… Page 22
6.5.3 Dependability…………………………………………………………………………………. Page 23
6.5.4 Confirmability…………………………………………………………………………………. Page 23
6.6 Ethical considerations ……………………………………………..………. Page 24
7 RESULTS: DISCUSSION OF THEMES ………………………….… Page 25
8 CONCLUSIONS ……………………………………………………….…….. Page 29
9 LIST OF REFERENCES …………………………………………..……… Page 30
Page 2
,1. TITLE: WHAT MOTIVATES PEOPLE TO DO VOLENTEER WORK?
2. ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to obtain an understanding of what motivates
people to do volunteer work and to improve the knowledge based on the
motivation of volunteers as the topic regarding the motivation of volunteerism is
greatly under researched. The lack of sufficient knowledge about the
phenomenon in question about what motivates people to do volunteer work
constitutes the research problem.
A qualitative design was chosen for the study. Three individual semi-structured
interviews were conducted to gather data regarding the topic in question.
Thematic analysis was enforced to interpret the meanings of the volunteers and
their experiences which aimed to enhance future understanding of what
motivates people to do volunteer work. Four themes were disclosed: Self-
actualization and development, the need to help beyond, drive to change and
the pursuit of happiness.
The interpretations disclose shows a desire within volunteers to actually become
their potential selves. Volunteers relate to the concerns of autonomy,
competence and relatedness as a whole. The drive to make a difference in
people’s lives was a phenomenal aspect which contributed to the soundness of
the research. Volunteering creates a sense of meaning and hope which
contributes to the psychological well-being and health of volunteers.
In conclusion, the most profound question of what motivates people to do
volunteer work remains unanswered.
Page 3
, 3. LITERATURE REVIEW
A literature review analyses and inspects sources admissible to a specific topic,
field of research, or theory and by doing so, administers a description, summary
and critical appraisal of these works in relation to the research problem
scrutinized. The objective of this literature review is to yield a greater
understanding of what motivates people to do volunteer work.
“A ‘volunteer’ is someone who contributes time to helping others with no
expectations of pay or other material benefit to herself” (Wilson & Musick, 1999.
p.141).
3.1 Delineating volunteerism
In order for us to understand and fully comprehend the reason of what
motivates people to do volunteer work we also need to grasp and discover the
true meaning of volunteerism. In the US History Encyclopedia we can confirm
that the term volunteerism is delineated as the following: Volunteerism may be
defined as contributing one’s time or talents for charitable, educational, social,
political, or other worthwhile purposes, usually in one’s community, freely and
without regard for compensation.
With the latter in mind, volunteerism is the practice of providing time and skills
for the benefit of other people and causes rather than for financial benefit. (Sift,
2019).
Volunteer work is defined as organized unpaid help to support another person,
groups or movement (Wilson, 2000). But why are people doing it? Volunteer
work does not provide any salary for the volunteers (Pearce 1993 p.8), but many
organizations and initiatives are dependent on the voluntary contribution of
people and are really interested to keep volunteers (motivated).
Volunteerism involves much more than working without pay; it involves people
making choices to do things to help society in ways that go beyond their basic
obligations. People begin and continue volunteering for many different reasons.
Although there is great individual-to-individual variability, it is important for social
workers to understand and take into consideration as many of the reasons as
possible in their strategies to recruit and retain committed volunteers.
Page 4
Research report for Project 4809
Assignment number: 42
Title of study: What motivates people to do volunteer work?
Surname: De Villiers Initials: A
Student number: 54706238
Examination period: October/November 2019
Page 1
, CONTENTS
1 TITLE OF STUDY …………………………………………………………… Page 3
2 ABSTRACT …………………………………………………………………….. Page 3
3 LITERATURE REVIEW …………………………………………………… Page 4
3.1 Delineating volunteerism …………………………….…….…………….. Page 4
3.2 Theories and models of volunteerism ……………..…….………….. Page 5
3.3 Perspectives on the motives for volunteerism …….….………….. Page 7
4 RESEARCH RATIONALE ………………………………………….….... Page 8
5 THE AIM/S OF THE RESEARCH ………………………………….…. Page 9
6 METHODOLOGY ……………………………………………………………. Page 9
6.1 Research design ……………………………………………………………... Page 9
6.2 Participants …………………………………………………………………..… Page 12
6.3 The interviews ……………………………………………………..…………. Page 15
6.4 Data analysis ……………………………………………………………..…… Page 16
6.5 Trustworthiness (reliability and validity) ………………………..….. Page 22
6.5.1 Credibility……………………………………………………………………….……………… Page 22
6.5.2 Transferability………………………………………………………………………………… Page 22
6.5.3 Dependability…………………………………………………………………………………. Page 23
6.5.4 Confirmability…………………………………………………………………………………. Page 23
6.6 Ethical considerations ……………………………………………..………. Page 24
7 RESULTS: DISCUSSION OF THEMES ………………………….… Page 25
8 CONCLUSIONS ……………………………………………………….…….. Page 29
9 LIST OF REFERENCES …………………………………………..……… Page 30
Page 2
,1. TITLE: WHAT MOTIVATES PEOPLE TO DO VOLENTEER WORK?
2. ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to obtain an understanding of what motivates
people to do volunteer work and to improve the knowledge based on the
motivation of volunteers as the topic regarding the motivation of volunteerism is
greatly under researched. The lack of sufficient knowledge about the
phenomenon in question about what motivates people to do volunteer work
constitutes the research problem.
A qualitative design was chosen for the study. Three individual semi-structured
interviews were conducted to gather data regarding the topic in question.
Thematic analysis was enforced to interpret the meanings of the volunteers and
their experiences which aimed to enhance future understanding of what
motivates people to do volunteer work. Four themes were disclosed: Self-
actualization and development, the need to help beyond, drive to change and
the pursuit of happiness.
The interpretations disclose shows a desire within volunteers to actually become
their potential selves. Volunteers relate to the concerns of autonomy,
competence and relatedness as a whole. The drive to make a difference in
people’s lives was a phenomenal aspect which contributed to the soundness of
the research. Volunteering creates a sense of meaning and hope which
contributes to the psychological well-being and health of volunteers.
In conclusion, the most profound question of what motivates people to do
volunteer work remains unanswered.
Page 3
, 3. LITERATURE REVIEW
A literature review analyses and inspects sources admissible to a specific topic,
field of research, or theory and by doing so, administers a description, summary
and critical appraisal of these works in relation to the research problem
scrutinized. The objective of this literature review is to yield a greater
understanding of what motivates people to do volunteer work.
“A ‘volunteer’ is someone who contributes time to helping others with no
expectations of pay or other material benefit to herself” (Wilson & Musick, 1999.
p.141).
3.1 Delineating volunteerism
In order for us to understand and fully comprehend the reason of what
motivates people to do volunteer work we also need to grasp and discover the
true meaning of volunteerism. In the US History Encyclopedia we can confirm
that the term volunteerism is delineated as the following: Volunteerism may be
defined as contributing one’s time or talents for charitable, educational, social,
political, or other worthwhile purposes, usually in one’s community, freely and
without regard for compensation.
With the latter in mind, volunteerism is the practice of providing time and skills
for the benefit of other people and causes rather than for financial benefit. (Sift,
2019).
Volunteer work is defined as organized unpaid help to support another person,
groups or movement (Wilson, 2000). But why are people doing it? Volunteer
work does not provide any salary for the volunteers (Pearce 1993 p.8), but many
organizations and initiatives are dependent on the voluntary contribution of
people and are really interested to keep volunteers (motivated).
Volunteerism involves much more than working without pay; it involves people
making choices to do things to help society in ways that go beyond their basic
obligations. People begin and continue volunteering for many different reasons.
Although there is great individual-to-individual variability, it is important for social
workers to understand and take into consideration as many of the reasons as
possible in their strategies to recruit and retain committed volunteers.
Page 4
