Patent ID: 8856188

Claim:
A computer-implemented method of defining an association between different data elements from disparate sources of data, comprising: receiving, and storing in a database, an input from a user linking a plurality of different data elements from disparate data sources; receiving a further input from the user on specific association relationships between said plurality of different data elements, and on a comparative statistical strength of each of said specific association relationships, and storing said further input in said database; wherein said comparative statistical strength includes a degree of relationship of each of said specific association relationships between said plurality of different data elements, said degree of relationship of each said specific association relationships between said plurality of different data elements being chosen from the following options: a possible relationship, a likelihood of a relationship, and a definite relationship; receiving a still further input from the user on how said plurality of different data elements are associated, and storing said still further input in said database; wherein said still further input from the user on how said plurality of different data elements are associated includes at least one of the following options: a cause and effect relationship, essentially equivalent, or definitely different, wherein said input, said further input, and said still further input are carried out through an input device including at least one of an electronic stylus, a computer mouse, or a keyboard; analyzing, using a processor, said plurality of different data elements and said specific association relationships with respect to clinical data on a patient inputted into said database, to further define said specific association relationships; and validating said specific association relationships based on said analysis of said plurality of different data elements with respect to said clinical data, and on a clinical diagnosis of a patient.