1. A computer-controlled method, said method comprising steps of: receiving a plurality of possible list elements; determining a first document space size responsive to a first query that incorporates said plurality of possible list elements and defines a first document space; determining a plurality of sizes of second document spaces using a second query set containing a plurality of separate queries each of which incorporates a different proper subset of said plurality of candidate phrases and wherein each of said different proper subset has the same cardinality and defines one of said plurality of second document spaces, and wherein each of said second document spaces excludes one or more of said plurality of candidate phrases; ranking said first document space and said plurality of said second document spaces; identifying a plurality of identified documents responsive to the step of ranking; extracting a plurality of list elements from at least one of said plurality of identified documents; and presenting one or more of said plurality of list elements.