No, they are not being researchers the moment they stopped doing research (e.g. by manipulating the results). They can call themselves however they want, until

No, they are not being researchers the moment they stopped doing research (e.g. by manipulating the results). They can call themselves however they want, until someone calls out their BS. There's a reason why we want to see the methodology used and that the results are reproduced. Questioning a scientist is not an attack, you're actually doing them a favor (I'd like to be told if I'm wrong).