Final answer:
Applied and practicing anthropology are closely related, with the former focusing on applying research to contemporary problems, often in collaboration with communities, and the latter emphasizing the practical employment of anthropological skills in real-world situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The terms applied anthropology and practicing anthropology are often used interchangeably to describe the application of anthropological theories and methods to solve real-world problems. However, there can be a nuanced difference between the two. Applied anthropology traditionally refers to applying anthropological knowledge and research methods to address contemporary issues and drive change, often outside of academia. This may involve collaborating with communities, such as Indigenous tribes, to work on initiatives that address their concerns, with a focus on participatory research and promoting the well-being of the communities involved.
Practicing anthropology could be seen as a subset of applied anthropology, emphasizing the direct involvement and employment of anthropological skills in everyday practice, such as influencing public policy or working within non-governmental or philanthropic organizations to undertake initiatives related to global health, climate change, or gender equality. Practicing anthropologists are actively engaged in the field, gathering preliminary data, developing culturally relevant messages, and potentially working on the front lines, for example, during a pandemic like COVID-19.
Both applied and practicing anthropology are geared towards applying anthropological expertise in practical and actionable ways to benefit society, although practicing anthropology is more focused on the actual implementation and practice of these methods in various professional settings.