Module code: HRPYC81
Research report for PROJECT: 4809
Assignment number: 638953
Title of study: What motivates people to do volunteer
work: A qualitative study.
Examination period: October/November 2021
,Contents
1. Literature review .............................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Defining volunteerism .................................................................................................. 4
1.2 Altruistic motivation and prosocial motivation .......................................................... 4
1.3 Personal development and meeting new acquittances .......................................... 5
1.4 Religion and volunteering ............................................................................................ 6
2. Research rationale .......................................................................................................... 8
3. The aim/s of the research .............................................................................................. 8
4. Methodology..................................................................................................................... 9
4.1 Research design ........................................................................................................... 9
4.2 Participants .............................................................................................................. 10
4.3 The interviews ............................................................................................................. 12
4.4 Data analysis ............................................................................................................... 12
4.4.1 Thematic analysis ............................................................................................... 12
4.4.2 Advantages: ......................................................................................................... 12
4.4.3 Disadvantages: .................................................................................................... 13
4.4.4 According to Braun and Clarke (2006) the following 6 phases are the
phases of thematic analysis: ....................................................................................... 14
4.5 Trustworthiness (reliability and validity) .................................................................. 14
4.6 Ethical considerations ................................................................................................ 15
4.6.1 Confidentiality: ..................................................................................................... 16
4.6.2 Voluntary participation and the right to withdraw: .......................................... 16
4.6.3 The four principles as described by Blanche et al., (2006, pp. 67-68) are
as follows: ....................................................................................................................... 16
4.6.3.1 autonomy and respect for the dignity of persons........................................ 16
4.6.3.2 Nonmaleficence ............................................................................................... 16
4.6.3.3 Beneficence ...................................................................................................... 16
4.6.3.2 Justice ................................................................................................................ 16
5. Results: Discussion of themes .................................................................................... 18
5.1 Giving back to the community .................................................................................. 18
5.2 Personal development ............................................................................................... 19
5.3 Meeting new friends ................................................................................................... 20
6. Conclusions .................................................................................................................... 21
7. List of References ......................................................................................................... 23
PLAGIARISM DECLARATION ........................................................................................... 25
, What motivates people to do volunteer work: A qualitative study.
Abstract
Volunteerism according to the US History Encyclopaedia (as cited in Tutorial letter
HRPYC81 101/0/2021, p.23) is defined as willingly giving time and abilities often
without concern for reward, usually for philanthropic, educational, social, political, and
perhaps other worthwhile goals in communities. Even though it seems that a large
majority of individuals volunteer, each and every one of them has their own unique
motivation for doing so. These people all have a passion for volunteering, but what
motivates them to do so varies from person to person (Seabe, 2014; Clary & Snyder,
1999). The aim of the present study is to examine what motivates individuals to do
volunteer work. A qualitative, interpretative research design was used in this study. A
qualitative research approach was chosen because it permits researchers to explore
specific concerns in greater depth, flexibility, and depth, along with examine
behaviours as they emerge in real environments (Blanche, Durrheim and Painter
(2006 p.47). Three significant topics emerged from the thematic analysis of the three
participant interviews. Giving back to the community, personal development, and
meeting new friends were the three key themes that emerged among the participants.
All of these themes were related to the current study's core goal, which was to find out
what encourages people to volunteer.
Research report for PROJECT: 4809
Assignment number: 638953
Title of study: What motivates people to do volunteer
work: A qualitative study.
Examination period: October/November 2021
,Contents
1. Literature review .............................................................................................................. 4
1.1 Defining volunteerism .................................................................................................. 4
1.2 Altruistic motivation and prosocial motivation .......................................................... 4
1.3 Personal development and meeting new acquittances .......................................... 5
1.4 Religion and volunteering ............................................................................................ 6
2. Research rationale .......................................................................................................... 8
3. The aim/s of the research .............................................................................................. 8
4. Methodology..................................................................................................................... 9
4.1 Research design ........................................................................................................... 9
4.2 Participants .............................................................................................................. 10
4.3 The interviews ............................................................................................................. 12
4.4 Data analysis ............................................................................................................... 12
4.4.1 Thematic analysis ............................................................................................... 12
4.4.2 Advantages: ......................................................................................................... 12
4.4.3 Disadvantages: .................................................................................................... 13
4.4.4 According to Braun and Clarke (2006) the following 6 phases are the
phases of thematic analysis: ....................................................................................... 14
4.5 Trustworthiness (reliability and validity) .................................................................. 14
4.6 Ethical considerations ................................................................................................ 15
4.6.1 Confidentiality: ..................................................................................................... 16
4.6.2 Voluntary participation and the right to withdraw: .......................................... 16
4.6.3 The four principles as described by Blanche et al., (2006, pp. 67-68) are
as follows: ....................................................................................................................... 16
4.6.3.1 autonomy and respect for the dignity of persons........................................ 16
4.6.3.2 Nonmaleficence ............................................................................................... 16
4.6.3.3 Beneficence ...................................................................................................... 16
4.6.3.2 Justice ................................................................................................................ 16
5. Results: Discussion of themes .................................................................................... 18
5.1 Giving back to the community .................................................................................. 18
5.2 Personal development ............................................................................................... 19
5.3 Meeting new friends ................................................................................................... 20
6. Conclusions .................................................................................................................... 21
7. List of References ......................................................................................................... 23
PLAGIARISM DECLARATION ........................................................................................... 25
, What motivates people to do volunteer work: A qualitative study.
Abstract
Volunteerism according to the US History Encyclopaedia (as cited in Tutorial letter
HRPYC81 101/0/2021, p.23) is defined as willingly giving time and abilities often
without concern for reward, usually for philanthropic, educational, social, political, and
perhaps other worthwhile goals in communities. Even though it seems that a large
majority of individuals volunteer, each and every one of them has their own unique
motivation for doing so. These people all have a passion for volunteering, but what
motivates them to do so varies from person to person (Seabe, 2014; Clary & Snyder,
1999). The aim of the present study is to examine what motivates individuals to do
volunteer work. A qualitative, interpretative research design was used in this study. A
qualitative research approach was chosen because it permits researchers to explore
specific concerns in greater depth, flexibility, and depth, along with examine
behaviours as they emerge in real environments (Blanche, Durrheim and Painter
(2006 p.47). Three significant topics emerged from the thematic analysis of the three
participant interviews. Giving back to the community, personal development, and
meeting new friends were the three key themes that emerged among the participants.
All of these themes were related to the current study's core goal, which was to find out
what encourages people to volunteer.
