Data search method with statistical analysis performed on user provided ratings of the initial search results

A method of providing content that is stored on a computer system, comprising:

• providing a plurality of initial search results based on an initial search query of a first user of the computer system, the plurality of initial search results relating to content that is stored on the computer system;
• receiving first data relating to a rating of the at least some initial search results by the first user, the rating performed according to a predetermined criterion;
• correlating the first data with communal data that is stored on the computer system, the communal data relating to ratings of the at least some initial search results provided previously by a plurality of users of the computer system, in association with the same initial search query;
• determining users of the plurality of users of the computer system having associated therewith data relating to ratings of the at least some initial search results that correlate with the first data to within a predetermined threshold limit;
• based on known final search results selected by each of the determined users in association with the same initial search query, determining a statistically most significant final search result;
• and,
• providing the statistically most significant final search result to the first user for accessing content associated therewith.

A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method of searching for content that is stored on a computer system, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of initial search results based on an initial search query of a first user of the computer system, the plurality of initial search results relating to content that is stored on the computer system;
• receiving first data relating to a rating of the at least some initial search results by the first user, the rating performed according to a predetermined criterion;
• correlating the first data with communal data that is stored on the computer system, the communal data relating to ratings of the at least some initial search results provided previously by a plurality of users of the computer system, in association with the same initial search query;
• determining users of the plurality of users of the computer system having associated therewith data relating to ratings of the at least some initial search results that correlate with the first data to within a predetermined threshold limit;
• based on known final search results selected by each of the determined users in association with the same initial search query, determining statistically most significant final search result;
• and,
• providing the statistically most significant final search result to the first user for accessing content associated therewith.