Data: sources and definitions

Abstract

This chapter describes and briefly evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the sources of evidence on voluntary action used in this book, and the challenges faced when using a mixed-methods approach. The chapter discusses the derivation of quantitative estimates of levels of volunteering and considers the challenges in analysing volunteering levels over time due to of variations in methodology and discontinuities in the availability of survey data. The chapter goes on to describe the source of qualitative data, writing undertaken by Mass Observation Project (MOP) volunteer writers and considers the advantages and limitations of this source. The chapter proceeds to a discussion of the challenges of mixed-methods work using these diverse sources. While MOP respondents can clearly be said to be active citizens, by the same token, this means that they are not typical of the general population, when compared to national social surveys drawing on respondents who are representative of the population. The chapter concludes with a discussion of how the various datasets are brought into dialogue with one another, and of the value of mixing data and methods of analysis.