1. A computer-implemented method of prioritizing a predefined set of electronic data sources, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a database stored on a computer readable medium, wherein the database contains metadata related to the predefined set of electronic data sources, and the metadata comprises, for each electronic data source, one or more source fields, each of the source fields comprising a data item or a source dimension; (b) electronically receiving first signals at a processor that is operatively connected to the computer readable medium, wherein the first signals relate to a query statement for a data value; (c) electronically identifying a query data item and one or more query dimensions based on the query statement; (d) electronically determining first data sources within the database in which at least one of the one or more source fields is equivalent to the query data item; (e) electronically assigning a score to each of the first data sources based on one or more criteria, wherein the one or more criteria comprise an ability to provide data related to the one or more query dimensions and an extent of aggregation necessary to provide the data; (f) determining whether any one of the first data sources has a score that indicates the first data source has the ability to provide the data related to the one or more query dimensions; (g) identifying one or more second data sources within the database corresponding to one or more of the first data sources if it is determined that the first data sources have scores that indicate the first data sources do not have the ability to provide data related to the one or more query dimensions, the one or more second data sources meeting the following criteria: (1) one or more source fields of the one or more second data sources are equivalent to the one or more query dimensions not contained in the first data source; and (2) each source dimension of the one or more second data sources are either: (A) equivalent to a source field of the first source or (B) have values that are capable of being obtained from the query statement; (h) linking the one or more first data sources with the corresponding one or more second data sources to generate one or more composite data sources; (i) electronically assigning a score to each of the composite data sources based on the one or more criteria; (j) electronically and dynamically ranking the composite data sources based on the assigned scores; and (k) electronically identifying one or more of the composite data sources having the highest rank as preferred data sources for locating the data value.
1. A computer-implemented method of prioritizing a predefined set of electronic data sources, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a database stored on a computer readable medium, wherein the database contains metadata related to the predefined set of electronic data sources, and the metadata comprises, for each electronic data source, one or more source fields, each of the source fields comprising a data item or a source dimension; (b) electronically receiving first signals at a processor that is operatively connected to the computer readable medium, wherein the first signals relate to a query statement for a data value; (c) electronically identifying a query data item and one or more query dimensions based on the query statement; (d) electronically determining first data sources within the database in which at least one of the one or more source fields is equivalent to the query data item; (e) electronically assigning a score to each of the first data sources based on one or more criteria, wherein the one or more criteria comprise an ability to provide data related to the one or more query dimensions and an extent of aggregation necessary to provide the data; (f) determining whether any one of the first data sources has a score that indicates the first data source has the ability to provide the data related to the one or more query dimensions; (g) identifying one or more second data sources within the database corresponding to one or more of the first data sources if it is determined that the first data sources have scores that indicate the first data sources do not have the ability to provide data related to the one or more query dimensions, the one or more second data sources meeting the following criteria: (1) one or more source fields of the one or more second data sources are equivalent to the one or more query dimensions not contained in the first data source; and (2) each source dimension of the one or more second data sources are either: (A) equivalent to a source field of the first source or (B) have values that are capable of being obtained from the query statement; (h) linking the one or more first data sources with the corresponding one or more second data sources to generate one or more composite data sources; (i) electronically assigning a score to each of the composite data sources based on the one or more criteria; (j) electronically and dynamically ranking the composite data sources based on the assigned scores; and (k) electronically identifying one or more of the composite data sources having the highest rank as preferred data sources for locating the data value. 16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of electronically determining first data sources comprises electronically determining first data sources in which at least one or more source fields are the same as the query data item.