Researchers dont get paid. In fact, they usually have to pay to be published on reputable platforms. Those platforms are the ones charging.
As for why they publish there if they never profit, academic success is dependant on publishing (“published or perish”), so academics will pay to advance in their field, essentially to get funding for future studies.
This is why if you contact a researcher directly, they’ll likely be willing to give you the finished thesis for free.
inbeesee@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Generally the difference is a paid service is better and worked on by the author. The work in these thesis ‘services’ is done by others, the research funded by our tax dollars, and the ‘service’ doesn’t contribute much of anything to be paid beyond server storage.
SLVRDRGN@lemmy.world 3 days ago
Think about how many painters, authors, artists, etc. have only received notoriety after their death and absolutely have contributed to culture.