Abstract: The systems described herein include collaborative research tools to assist with structuring and refining searches over a wide array of disparate data sources. The systems further permit variable access control to research results, for viewing and for editing, throughout iterative stages of research. Research may be conducted with varying degrees of collaboration over varying stages of research refinement, thus providing an end-to-end collaborative research tool that concludes with network publication of organized search results. The systems may be deployed in a number of architectures, including a client/server configuration or a stand-alone desktop application. The systems have broad application to research and knowledge management in interests ranging from academic to commercial, and may include medicine, engineering, law, history, economics, and more.