A method for accessing and automatically correlating data from a plurality of external data sources that includes: A) defining at least two sets of data by querying a plurality of existing external data sources using user application software, a central computer and user defined search statements; B) generating a computer program code which provides access to the external data sources; C) loading the sets of data in a memory of the central computer using the computer program code to gain access to the external data sources; D) storing references which specify links to each of the sets of data provided by the external data sources in a data storage of the central computer; and E) automatically correlating data from the sets of data by using the referenced sets of data using at least one rule of correlation included in the user application software.