A method of and apparatus for accessing information within an electronic system. The method includes formatting a searchable database into a directory tree structure, the directory tree structure includes nodes comprising related data and branches comprising links between the nodes. Each related item of data is categorized by a navigation path through the directory tree structure and by one or more set parameters, the parameters being specific to the node in which the related data is included. The method accesses a node within the directory tree structure using a query string, wherein the query string defines a navigation path through the directory tree structure to access a specific node within the directory tree structure. The method can include manually traversing the navigation path by utilizing keyword search, hierarchical search, dichotomous key search, and parametric search methodologies. Manually traversing the navigation path can be saved as the query string.