Research

The scientific monitoring of and advice for pilot projects and programs in the context of civil society offers various opportunities for our own research. It focuses on the object and actor related relevance of the issues we cover. To give an example, last year the zze has been engaged in researching the question of monetarization in volunteerism.

We take on research assignments from our partners and conduct practice-oriented externally funded research. Through this we enter areas where there has been little research before and make it possible for new developments to take place and new scopes of action to be created.

In its research activities the zze follows four principles:

• Applied research – multi-perspective approach – interdisciplinary orientation – multi-perspective methodology
• Applied research: In our work we are committed to applied research, which attributes great importance to continuous feedback of research results and cooperation with our partners and target groups. Thereby we can guarantee a realistic representation of the structures and patterns of activity.
• Multi-perspective approach: Through our various activities in the area of civic engagement our research approach comprises of multiple perspectives and displays and brings together the different points of view of our partners.
• Interdisciplinary orientation: Our approach is interdisciplinary and involves competences in law, sociology, psychology, social science, political science, administrative science, social ethics, community planning, and social work. This interdisciplinarity is represented by the various specializations of the members of our staff.

Multi-perspective methodology: Diversity is also of importance when it comes to our methods. We use modern instruments of quantitative as well as qualitative research. The principles of our scientific work are an essential element of the zze’s quality management.

A selection of partners we work with:

• Bundesministerium für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend BMFSFJ (Federal Ministry of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth)
• Ministerium für Arbeit und Sozialordnung, Familien, Frauen und Senioren Baden-Württemberg (Baden-Württemberg State Ministry of Employment, Social Agenda, Family, Women and Senior Citizens)
• Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Arbeit und Sozialordnung, Familien und Frauen (Bavarian State Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Family and Women)
• Robert-Bosch-Stiftung (Robert Bosch Foundation)
• Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (German Red Cross)