Mapping Social Cohesion Survey, 2007

The Social Cohesion Survey is a series of detailed surveys on social cohesion, immigration and population issues. A prime objective of the surveys is to further understanding of the social impact of Australia's increasingly diverse immigration program. The series of surveys forms part of the Scanlon Foundation Social Cohesion Research Program (SCRP) which commenced in 2007 under the direction of the Monash Institute for the Study of Global Movements (MISGM) and the Australian Multicultural Foundation (AMF). A key element of the SCRP was the conduct of a landmark Australian Social Cohesion Survey in 2007, which was conducted by the Social Research Centre on behalf of the research consortium. The aim of the survey is to: • Establish a benchmark measure of the state of social cohesion in Australia, and • Compare this benchmark with a series of smaller local level surveys conducted in areas with a high proportion of persons from non-English speaking backgrounds. The survey used a random sampling methodology, stratified by geographic location. The sample was stratified by state / territory, with a minimum quota of 200 interviews per state / territory to be achieved (i.e. a sub-total of 1,600 interviews). The remaining 400 interviews were allocated across the five most populous states (NSW, Vic, Qld, WA and SA) on a probability proportional to size basis. The study covered a variety of topics, including economic conditions, political participation, socio-cultural attitudes, discrimination, reflection of current life in Australia, and local communities.