Note 10 - Intangible Assets (Details) - Identifiable Intangible Assets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 112,386	$ 109,870
Accumulated amortization	70,825	68,015
Net carrying amount	41,561	41,855
Data Content [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	53,257	56,974
Accumulated amortization	29,458	27,644
Net carrying amount	23,799	29,330
Customer Relationships [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	27,753	25,821
Accumulated amortization	17,698	17,443
Net carrying amount	10,055	8,378
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	26,768	22,881
Accumulated amortization	20,216	20,089
Net carrying amount	6,552	2,792
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	2,807	2,465
Accumulated amortization	2,314	1,881
Net carrying amount	493	584
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	1,801	1,729
Accumulated amortization	1,139	958
Net carrying amount	$ 662	$ 771