a questionnaire to evaluate motivation

BeWel Introductory Meeting 29th -30th July 2009

the developmental process• context • knowledge of the target group• choice of theories• overview of questions asked• sample size and return rate

an overview

context

design process

carry out Interviews and

participant observation with subset of target

participants

explore relevant theory and design questionnaire to be able to assess underlying mechanisms of involvement in conservation

both pre-pilot and pilot questionnaire.

carry out exploratory analysis to ensure questionnaire is repeatable and results are valid

postal questionnaire to study participants:

pre-postal letter

questionnaire posted

follow up letter if not returned

grounding the questionnaire: pre- trial stage

aims methods data sources

Exploration of motivations for involvement in conservation action

Literature review

Exploring theory

Participant Observation

Interviews

Literature from psychology, health care. Mini lit review carried out

Meetings with psychologists in Aberystwyth university and Macaulay

Participant observation: Steering group meetings of Cairngorms Water Vole Project (CWVP), accompanied water vole officers when visiting volunteers

Interviews with steering group of CWVP, and NE Water Vole project

pre-exploratory trial empirical evidence

“(volunteers are) well driven

because they’ve got their own

interest”

“(volunteers are) well driven

because they’ve got their own

interest”

“maybe their motivation could

flag in some areas if they feel

isolated”

“maybe their motivation could

flag in some areas if they feel

isolated”

“im not sure how we would go about getting

more motivation or keeping motivation

going for volunteers”

“im not sure how we would go about getting

more motivation or keeping motivation

going for volunteers”

“they need to be

reassured”

“they need to be

reassured”

Volunteers seek to learn more about the world or exercise redundant skills

(Cuthill & Warburton 2006)

Volunteers seek to learn more about the world or exercise redundant skills

(Cuthill & Warburton 2006)

Both internally motivating factors and externally factors (such as increased community standing) are important

incentives for volunteering (Cappellari & Turati, 2004; Granek & Brown, 2005)

Theoretical phase

Action Learning theory (Tilbury 2005, Burke 2007)

Social Cognitive theory(Bandura 1997,2004)

Self-determination theory (Deci og Ryan 2000, 2002, 2005)

•Internal versus external motivation

•Perceived competence

•Social relatedness

•Self-regulatory motivation

•Knowledge and skills

•Social reflection

•Expectations and ambivalence

•Self-efficacy

•Collective self-efficacy

•Social support

grounding the questionnaire: exploratory trial stage

aims methods data sources

To identify most useful questions and design

To ensure clarity

To test analysis methods

Expert Meetings

Pre-pilot

Pilot

Meeting and discussion with Anke Fischer at Macaulay

Email discussions with psychology experts in Aberystwyth

Workshop with co-ordinators of Cairngorms Water Vole Project

Pre-pilot on colleagues

Pilot to NE Water Vole Project

translation of theory

a) Self-regulatory motivation (ALT)

b) Knowledge and skills (ALT)

c) Collective self-efficacy (SCT)

d) Social support (SCT)

e) Internal motivation (SDT)

f) Self Regulation (SDT)

g) Social relatedness (SDT)

theoretical constructs components in the questionnaire

Interest (a, c, e, f, g)

Enjoyment (a, e, f, g)

Humanitarian (e, f, g)

Health (a, c, f, g)

Environment (e, f, g)

Community/ownership (c, d, e, f, g)

Skills (b, e, f, g)

Perceived choice (a, f)

Social (a, d, e, f, g)

translation of theory

component question

Interest •This work is interesting•This work gives me a sense of accomplishment•I find this work boring

Enjoyment •This work makes me feel happy•I have fun doing this work•I enjoy this work

example questionnaire

sample size and return rate

• 672 sent out • Effective sample of 660• 322 returned (49%)