Consideration of "Inter-locality" Using an Epistolary Style

Abstract

This paper examines the potential usefulness for qualitative psychological research of concepts of "inter-locality". Traditionally, qualitative research has focused on particular substantive domains in order to provide detailed descriptions with regard to phenomena of interest. However, qualitative research has often been criticized because the results of such studies have limited generalizability. We proposed the concept of "inter-locality" as a response to this critical view. More specifically, the first author brought experience of conducting fieldwork in different cultures and countries, and the second author brought experience in conducting numerous studies on interventions designed to mitigate the traumatic impact of disasters to this joint examination of the potential usefulness of "inter-locality". This examination developed from a reciprocal effort to bridge the gaps separating many circumscribed research domains through the sharing of previously localized findings and concepts among such domains. The paper was written in an epistolary style, in which the personal letters exchanged by the authors are intended to embody the descriptive style suitable for an examination of "inter-locality".