In this article the problem of survey non-response is examined with special reference to probability sampling in the Czech Republic. Non-response rates among Czech respondents in ISSP surveys between 1995 and 2005 were almost twice the rate recorded between 1991 and 1995 (25%). Such trends point to a decline in the 'survey climate'. While non-contacts and refusals in surveys are a significant problem, issues relating to how fieldwork is undertaken are equally important. The large fluctuations in non-contact rates and the relative success of the Czech Statistical Office in attenuating non-response rates demonstrates that prudent surveying strategies can be effective. An examination of two waves of the European Social Survey (ESS) reveals both the problems and potential strategies available for response rate enhancement. In this respect, all survey designers face the dilemma of balancing the benefits of data accuracy with increasing logistical costs. Improvement in survey quality necessitates consideration of many issues and the ability to make sensible trade-offs between competing research objectives.
Perspectives on migrant integration differ by time and place. This article examines this vague concept to shed light on how its evolution over time has shaped the current conceptions of migrant integration in the EU and the Czech Republic. It describes the situation in the Czech Republic and the country's normative goals in the field of migrant integration. While the country has explicit integration priorities in place, there is no evaluation of their fulfilment. The article explores whether these priorities are indeed fulfilled and from what sources by analysing a unique dataset of 3061 projects in the field of migrant integration. All these projects were implemented in the Czech Republic between 2010 and 2019. The results show that although funding for migrant integration has increased since 2016, even taking into account the long-term increase in the number of migrants in the Czech Republic, funding in support of these priorities is allocated very unevenly. European funding remains crucial. Among the most supported priorities is knowledge of the Czech language and education. There is also some support in the social field. By contrast, the issues of discrimination, equal rights, foreign nationals' access to health care, and the development of professional skills receive hardly any support. The results thus show a discrepancy between the priorities that have been set and their fulfilment, especially in the area of activities targeting the majority society and its institutions. The declared two-sidedness to the process of integration process thus remains a somewhat unsupported vision.