1. A method of formatting information from a searchable database using a research module, the research module configured to correlate search criteria to the searchable database for generating one or more matching items, the searchable database being in a directory tree structure including nodes comprising a collection of related data and branches comprising links between the nodes, the method comprising: performing, using the research module, a search of the searchable database to generate one or more matching items correlating to search criteria wherein each of the one or more matching items represents a node from within the directory tree structure; formatting a collection of related data corresponding to a node of one matching item from the one or more matching items into an encyclopedia-like entry; communicating, to a computing device, the encyclopedia-like entry corresponding to the node of the one matching item; saving an indication of the search and an indication of a notification method, the indication of the search comprising an indication of a navigation path through the directory tree structure to the node of the one matching item; determining, based on the saved indication of the search, that new information is associated with the node of the one matching item after communicating the encyclopedia-like entry to the computing device; and automatically sending, in response to determining that the new information is associated with the node of the one matching item, a notification of the new information via the notification method.
1. A method of formatting information from a searchable database using a research module, the research module configured to correlate search criteria to the searchable database for generating one or more matching items, the searchable database being in a directory tree structure including nodes comprising a collection of related data and branches comprising links between the nodes, the method comprising: performing, using the research module, a search of the searchable database to generate one or more matching items correlating to search criteria wherein each of the one or more matching items represents a node from within the directory tree structure; formatting a collection of related data corresponding to a node of one matching item from the one or more matching items into an encyclopedia-like entry; communicating, to a computing device, the encyclopedia-like entry corresponding to the node of the one matching item; saving an indication of the search and an indication of a notification method, the indication of the search comprising an indication of a navigation path through the directory tree structure to the node of the one matching item; determining, based on the saved indication of the search, that new information is associated with the node of the one matching item after communicating the encyclopedia-like entry to the computing device; and automatically sending, in response to determining that the new information is associated with the node of the one matching item, a notification of the new information via the notification method. 10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the notification method is one selected from the group consisting of: posting to a bulletin board, sending an email, posting a news item, and displaying on a desktop interface.