A discussion of the differences in volunteering rates in the panel study of income dynamics,the current population survey,and independent sector volunteering studies

In this research note, I seek to explain differences in volunteering rates in three major volunteering studies—the Panel Study of Income Dynamics Philanthropy Module (known as the COPPS data), the Current Population Survey's volunteering supplement (CPS), and the Independent Sector's (IS) study, Giving and Volunteering in the United States. I compare each study in terms of survey methodology and volunteering questionnaire content. Then I discuss reasons for differences in the volunteering rates of these surveys based on methodology and questionnaire content.