Abstract: A system and a method used for data discovery in accordance with an inquiry in which multiple sources, which may be web sites or other data sources, are examined for data relevant to the inquiry. The process and method is performed recursively an indeterminate number of iterations, using data and metadata from multiple sources to corroborate discovered data and metadata from other sources, until no further relevant data or sources are found, or adjudication or exception rules have been met. Discovered data and metadata are curated, adjudicated to assess reliability, synthesized, and clustered into composite records using precedence rules and provenance to determine the most reliable data sources as well as terms of use for each source. Data, metadata, and information about each search are retained and can be used for subsequent purposes, such as subsequent searches or other downstream activities.

Abstract: There is provided a method that includes (a) examining records that describe transactions between entities, (b) constructing, in a database, a data structure that represents a relationship network, based on the transactions, where the relationship network represents (i) a first entity and (ii) a second entity that is separated from the first entity by N tiers, and where N is a whole number greater than or equal to 1, and (c) calculating a relevance of the second entity to the first entity as a function of, i.e., based on, a characteristic of the second entity. There is also provided a system that performs the method, and a storage medium that contains instructions for controlling a processor to perform the method.

Abstract: A system and a method used for data discovery in accordance with an inquiry in which multiple sources, which may be web sites or other data sources, are examined for data relevant to the inquiry. The process and method is performed recursively an indeterminate number of iterations, using data and metadata from multiple sources to corroborate discovered data and metadata from other sources, until no further relevant data or sources are found, or adjudication or exception rules have been met. Discovered data and metadata are curated, adjudicated to assess reliability, synthesized, and clustered into composite records using precedence rules and provenance to determine the most reliable data sources as well as terms of use for each source. Data, metadata, and information about each search are retained and can be used for subsequent purposes, such as subsequent searches or other downstream activities.