Data records contain identification data and user data and are either contained in a highest grouping level or are directly subordinate to precisely one data record group. Each data record group is either contained in the highest grouping level or is directly subordinate to precisely one data record group. Each data record group is in this way either empty or contains at least one directly subordinate element, which is either a data record group or a data record. A selection criterion is specified to a computer by a user, whereupon the computer displays to the user via a display device a list of at least the elements contained in the highest grouping level. The list is sorted according to an ordering criterion independent of the selection criterion. The identification data of each data record fulfilling the selection criterion and contained in the highest grouping level is displayed, and each data record group contained in the highest grouping level and to which at least one data record which fulfils the selection criterion is in turn directly or indirectly subordinate, is displayed. All other elements contained in the highest grouping level are not displayed. With regard to each displayed element, which is not contained in the highest grouping level, the data record group directly superordinate to the displayed element is displayed as well.