1. A method for re-ranking search results, comprising: receiving search results that are ranked; and applying a ranking rule to the search results that re-ranks the search results, wherein the ranking rule is defined by user input and includes user-input specified parameters that influence how a result within the search results is re-ranked using statistical information calculated based on the search results, wherein the statistical information comprises at least one statistical value calculated based on rank values of a plurality of the search results, wherein the ranking rule includes a multiplier value that is multiplied against at least one of: a maximum rank value of the rank values minus a minimum rank value of the rank values; a rank value of the ranks values minus the minimum rank value of the rank values; an average rank value of the rank values; and a standard deviation of the rank values.
1. A method for re-ranking search results, comprising: receiving search results that are ranked; and applying a ranking rule to the search results that re-ranks the search results, wherein the ranking rule is defined by user input and includes user-input specified parameters that influence how a result within the search results is re-ranked using statistical information calculated based on the search results, wherein the statistical information comprises at least one statistical value calculated based on rank values of a plurality of the search results, wherein the ranking rule includes a multiplier value that is multiplied against at least one of: a maximum rank value of the rank values minus a minimum rank value of the rank values; a rank value of the ranks values minus the minimum rank value of the rank values; an average rank value of the rank values; and a standard deviation of the rank values. 7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ranking rule comprises a ranking equation, wherein the ranking equation is r i = a + b ⁡ ( max - min ) + c ⁡ ( r i - min ) + d · x _ + e · σ + f · x _ · σ 2 x 2 _ , where r i is the rank value of the ith hit, max/min is the max/min rank value of all hits, x is the average rank value of the hits, σ is the sqrt (variance) of the rank values, x 2 is the average of the sum of the square roots of the rank values of the hits, and a, b, c, d, e, and f are user-input supplied parameters.