Methodology: Primary and Secondary Research
This methodology section is here to explain how our group organized our report. It will show our thought processes throughout the semester, as well as show a sequence of how we executed our plans to make this project successful. The main ways of accomplishing our research was through online research as well as connecting with organizations personally.
Primary Research: Interview
Our first order of business when deciding our group was to come up with the first of two primary research methods. We had a meeting with the Mars Hill Charity Riders on October 30th at their charity location just south-west of Indianapolis. We identified problems within the organization to research later on. We also found out more about how the charity is run, and what their purposes are. This helped us narrow down topics to research.
Secondary Research
After meeting with the Mars Hill Charity Riders; we began dividing research in the way that was recommended to us in class. Each of us identified four sources that we would be using throughout the rest of the project. These sources were found using the IUPUI library, and databases such as:
-
Pro-Quest
-
Google Scholar
-
JSTOR
The next step was to use this research to create our literature review. Each member of the group researched a broad array of topics that we then narrowed down to the most relevant topics. The literature review is compiled of sections written by each person in the group.
-
Siren Hand wrote Partnership Models, and Social Media Networking Strategy.
-
Lucy Luman wrote Shared Alignment of Goals & Mission, and Motorcycle Group/Nonprofit-Specific Considerations.
-
Julie Van Nei Tha wrote Sharing Resources.
-
Tailish Laller wrote Community Involvement & Connections.
-
Stacie Dixson wrote Climbing Obstacles.
-
Grant Mahuron wrote Joint & Event Planning, and Leveraging Policies & Effective Fundraising.
Primary Research: Surveys
Internet research is not enough to give credible, and helpful recommendations. To find more relatable, and charity focused information we created surveys to send out to the public. The first survey was sent to Professor Minnick’s English-W231 students, while the second survey was sent to local foundations and organizations such as:
-
Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Roche Diagnostics, Anthem, Inc., Indy Reads Books, Flanner House/ Ujamaa Community Bookstore, Indiana Youth Group, Tinker Coffee Co., Three Dog Bakery, Silver in the City, Global Gifts, The Garden Table, Goose the Market, The Best Chocolate in Town, Dreyer Honda South dealership, Shapiro’s Delicatessen, and Simon Property Group.
Information from these companies and organizations helped us relate our research to charities. It allowed us to focus our information on helping Mars Hill Charity Riders function better while still doing great things for the community.