A study into middleborns and familial sentiment

This study sets out to determine if birth order (as an external factor) can be a determinant of characteristics in the formation of identity. The research project is based on 'familial sentiment', a theme found from key birth order researcher Dr Salmon, who suggests that middleborn children are generally less closely affiliated with parents than other birth orders, as they focus on relationships outside of kin. Although most birth order studies use quantitative methods, this study is through 15 semi-structured interviews that take place over the course of 2 months. This method was chosen so that data produced would be rich in detail and provide in depth accounts of middleborn children.