CHAPTER TWO - PRECEDENCE IN RESEARCH
Kessler (1991, pp. 413-426) conducted a study the purpose of which was to test a hypothesis that birth order and family size do affect individual achievement in later life. Data were collected from a sample that included both males and females. The hypothesis was tested through the application of analysis of variance procedures to the data. The study found that birth-order did not affect many factors equated to organizational success such as growth in wage rates. The implication of this finding was that birth order was not implicated strongly in an individual's success in later life.
Hanushek (1992, pp. 84-117) tested the hypothesis that birth order is related to successful scholastic performance. Data were collected for a sample of subjects ranging in age from six years to 17 years. The hypothesis was tested through the application of analysis of variance procedures to the data. The study did find that first born children achieved greater scholastic success than did later born children; however, the researcher concluded that this outcome was more attributable to family size than to birth order. The implication of this finding is that birth order is relevant to later success, but that other factors are involved.
Berger and Ivancevich (1973, pp. 515-519) tested the generalizability of the relationship between birth order and achievement. Data were collected from a sample of 104 middle managers over a six-year period. The relationship was tested through the application of regression analysis procedures to the data. The research found a significant relationship (p<.001) between the rate of salary increases and birth order, with earlier birth order associated with faster rates of salary increases, with the exception that the last born children in families with three or more children achieved greater success than earlier born children with the exception of the oldest child in a family...