Research on Toolkits Related to Older Adult Volunteering
Principal Investigator: Dr. Karen Slonim, Research Lead, Centre for Elder Research Sheridan College 1430 Trafalgar Road, Oakville ON L6H 2L1,
Email: Karen.slonim@sheridancollege.ca
Funding Source: New Horizons for Seniors
Why is this research being done?
The goal of this project is to develop a toolkit that can be shared with not-for-profit and government agencies looking to meaningfully support older adults in their volunteer activities. It will serve to capture what lessons have been lost to time, where some unique challenges may lie and what are some of the things that help make volunteering more meaningful, accessible, and realistic. The toolkit will also include stories that explore individual experiences and motivations. All phases of this work have been and will continue to be done in partnership with older adults. Practically, this means we have been meeting biweekly in different community settings to explore the literature together and design this survey. This collaboration will continue with the analysis of results and writing of the toolkit.
Who can take part?
This survey is designed to gather insights from older adults, so is for people aged 55 and up. Participation in this study is voluntary and is not linked to any of the services you are receiving.
What will I be asked to do?
You will be asked to fill out a 27-item survey that aims to better understand your perceptions of volunteering. The survey should take around 15 – 20 minutes to finish. Please click here to access the online survey.
Timeline:
All survey to be completed by February 22, 2026
What will happen to the information that I share?
The survey will be reviewed by members of the research team and not shared with anyone except with your consent or as required by law. It is important to note, for this project, the research team includes all members of the community who have signed partnership agreements. You will be completing this study on an online survey operated by Qualtrics. Qualtrics has implemented technical, administrative, and physical safeguards to protect the information provided via the Service from loss, misuse, and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. However, no Internet transmission is ever fully secure or error free. Qualtrics temporarily collects your computer IP address to avoid duplicate responses in the dataset but will not collect information that could identify you personally. As required by the college, study data will be retained for up to ten years on a password-protected computer and then destroyed after the time has elapsed. If the results of the study are presented or published, only group, not individual data will be shared.
Because this is an anonymous survey the researchers have no way of identifying you or getting in touch with you should you choose to tell us something about yourself or your life experiences.
Are there any risks?
Some people may find it stressful to answer questions that relate to their perceptions about volunteering, or in expressing a desire not to. It is important to know that you do not have to answer questions that you do not want to. You can also stop the survey at any time with no negative effect.
How will I benefit if I take part?
The research may not benefit you directly. We hope that the results of this study will help enhance the experiences of people when they volunteer, choose not, or wish to disengage. The intent of this work is to also provide older adults with the opportunity to share their wisdom and voices with younger generations.
What if I decide not to take part?
Participation in the study is voluntary. You are under no pressure to participate in this project, and if you choose to participate you are free to stop at any time. You are under no obligation to answer all of the questions on the survey and are welcome to skip any you do not want to respond to. You can also stop answering the survey questions at any time. If you choose not to complete the survey, you can simply close your browser. If you exit the survey early, we will not use any of the data you have provided.
What if I change my mind about being in the study?
You may choose not to continue the survey at any time. If you decide to withdraw, there will be no consequences for you and any data you have provided will be destroyed. Once you have submitted your responses for this anonymous survey: your answers will be put into a database and will not be identifiable. This means that once you have submitted your survey, your responses cannot be withdrawn from the study because we will not be able to identify which responses are yours.
Are there other ways to be involved?
This research is being done in partnership with the community. From February to April, we will meet to look at the results of the survey and develop recommendations. We meet every other Friday, at the Burlington Seniors Centre, from 9:00 – 11:00. You are also welcome to provide a personal story. Transportation is available so please reach out to Karen for more information.
Rights of Research Participants
You may withdraw your consent at any time and discontinue participation without penalty. You are not waiving any legal claims, rights or remedies because you participated in this research study. This study has been reviewed and received ethics clearance through the Sheridan Research Ethics Board (SREB No. 2022-06-005-007). If you have questions regarding your rights as a research participant, contact: the Sheridan Research Ethics Board at sreb@sheridancollege.ca.
Consent
Having read this Letter of Information, you understand that by submitting your completed survey you agree to take part in this study.