(2006-12) Mesch, Debra; Rooney, Patrick; Steinberg, Kathryn; Denton, Brian
The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of race, gender, and marital status
on giving and volunteering behavior. A second purpose is to examine these effects
across different survey methodologies. Using data from Indiana households, a multimethod, multigroup research design was used to compare giving and volunteering
across eight different survey methodologies. Results indicate important differences in
philanthropic behaviors by gender, race, marital status, and survey methodology—even
when controlling for differences in income, age, and educational attainment. These
results highlight the importance of looking specifically at human and social capital
variables, and survey methodology, when making assumptions about and interpreting
the measurement of philanthropic behavior.