1. A method for testing and selecting graphics processing unit (GPU) kernels for operation on a graphics processing unit (GPU) for investigation of datasets, the method comprising: identifying a set of complementary GPU kernels; testing, by operation of a GPU, performance of the complementary GPU kernels on selected datasets, wherein the testing is for a plurality of different parameter values of the selected datasets; determining, from among the tested GPU kernels, a set of α-kernels, wherein a kernel is labeled as an α-kernel if and only if it achieves the best performance among all tested kernels for at least one set of parameter values; writing the test results to an electronic table or file that records (i) the set of α-kernels discovered and (ii) the best α-kernel for each set of parameter values tested, such that already-tested kernel and parameter combinations do not have to be tested again on the same GPU hardware; determining, by use of an intelligent selection algorithm, at least one best α-kernel from among the set of α-kernels, wherein the determining by the intelligent selection algorithm includes selecting the at least one best α-kernel based on the parameter values of the selected datasets; and applying the at least one best α-kernel on the GPU.