Embodiments of the present invention include methods for retrieving information from an information base. In one embodiment, the present invention includes specifying a first query including one or more specified attribute values corresponding to one or more attributes, performing a count-only query on a structured information base for information elements having one or more attribute values within a first range, the first range including the specified attribute values, and performing a retrieval query for information elements having one or more attribute values within a second range, wherein the second range includes the first range.