In a way, yes, though I would argue that implicit in "scientist" or "research professor" is the idea that they are searching for unknowns. The professional world is thought of very differently.

If you went into an architect's office and he told you he'd need $4000 to research whether gravity applies to the building you want him to build, you'd scoff. If you went to an accountant to ask whether you can take a certain deduction and he said he needed $4000 to look it up, you'd think he was either incompetent or a fraudster. But this is accepted (and necessary) in the legal world.

ahh, i see your point, now. thanks. what do you think about adding engineers (for certain values of engineer) to the list of professions that get paid to do research?

Let me put this a slightly different way: Many professions are paid to do research, some engineers included, but I think lawyers are the only ones who are paid to do so by the consumer.

I would analogize it to individual cancer patient going to a research scientist at Bristol-Myers Squibb and saying "Hey, what would happen if you tweaked XYZ molecule? Would that cure me?"

The engineers that are paid directly by the consumer, I would think, are much closer to data crunchers than true researchers. Maybe some architects or other types with engineering experience could jump in and disagree?