Final answer:
Anthropologists practice recent ethnographic research by focusing on digital culture and collaboration with study communities, involving community members in the research, and adapting to diverse environments, including virtual spaces.
Step-by-step explanation:
Recent practices in ethnographic research by anthropologists have expanded to include a focus on digital culture and the use of collaborative methods. This shift acknowledges the significance of technology in shaping societal interactions and recognizes the importance of working with, rather than just studying, communities. In response to the digital age, media anthropologists explore digital sociality, examining the creation and maintenance of collective identities through online platforms and analyzing new modes of interaction such as blogging, meme-sharing, and hacking. Furthermore, there's an increased effort to involve community members in the research process itself, enhancing the relevance and accuracy of studies through focus groups, community forums, and even co-authorship with locals.
Anthropologists have also become more reflexive, acknowledging how their personal backgrounds and motivations influence their research. In conjunction with applied anthropology, Indigenous peoples and other community groups are increasingly taking active roles in research projects, ensuring that studies address their concerns and contribute to their needs, such as land management via GIS technologies.
As such, anthropologists no longer view 'the field' as merely distant, exotic locations but have broadened it to include various environments, including virtual spaces and urban settings. This adaptation seeks to maintain the valuable insights of cross-cultural research while progressively tackling ethical considerations and aiming for 'good enough ethnography'.