diff --git a/src/app/core/data/base/find-all-data.ts b/src/app/core/data/base/find-all-data.ts
index c2330af243..57884e537e 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/base/find-all-data.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/base/find-all-data.ts
@@ -39,17 +39,6 @@ export interface FindAllData<T extends CacheableObject> {
    *    Return an observable that emits object list
    */
   findAll(options?: FindListOptions, useCachedVersionIfAvailable?: boolean, reRequestOnStale?: boolean, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<T>[]): Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<T>>>;
-
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF with given options object
-   *
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @param linkPath The link path for the object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  getFindAllHref?(options: FindListOptions, linkPath?: string, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<T>[]): Observable<string>;
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/base/patch-data.ts b/src/app/core/data/base/patch-data.ts
index 558de928c4..732f71636e 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/base/patch-data.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/base/patch-data.ts
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ export interface PatchData<T extends CacheableObject> {
    * Return a list of operations representing the difference between an object and its latest value in the cache.
    * @param object  the object to resolve to a list of patch operations
    */
-  createPatchFromCache?(object: T): Observable<Operation[]>;
+  createPatchFromCache(object: T): Observable<Operation[]>;
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/base/search-data.ts b/src/app/core/data/base/search-data.ts
index ba8fac9888..751bff5c3a 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/base/search-data.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/base/search-data.ts
@@ -48,17 +48,6 @@ export interface SearchData<T extends CacheableObject> {
    *    Return an observable that emits response from the server
    */
   searchBy(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, useCachedVersionIfAvailable?: boolean, reRequestOnStale?: boolean, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<T>[]): Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<T>>>;
-
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF for a specific object's search method with given options object
-   *
-   * @param searchMethod The search method for the object
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  getSearchByHref?(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<T>[]): Observable<string>;
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/bitstream-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/bitstream-data.service.ts
index 0e0c939d9e..6bdcefe187 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/bitstream-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/bitstream-data.service.ts
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ import { NotificationsService } from '../../shared/notifications/notifications.s
 import { NoContent } from '../shared/NoContent.model';
 import { IdentifiableDataService } from './base/identifiable-data.service';
 import { dataService } from './base/data-service.decorator';
+import { Operation } from 'fast-json-patch';
 
 /**
  * A service to retrieve {@link Bitstream}s from the REST API
@@ -244,6 +245,14 @@ export class BitstreamDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<Bitstream> imp
     return this.patchData.update(object);
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Return a list of operations representing the difference between an object and its latest value in the cache.
+   * @param object  the object to resolve to a list of patch operations
+   */
+  public createPatchFromCache(object: Bitstream): Observable<Operation[]> {
+    return this.patchData.createPatchFromCache(object);
+  }
+
   /**
    * Delete an existing object on the server
    * @param   objectId The id of the object to be removed
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/bundle-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/bundle-data.service.ts
index e85c0c2bee..19f0e73706 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/bundle-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/bundle-data.service.ts
@@ -167,4 +167,12 @@ export class BundleDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<Bundle> implement
   public update(object: Bundle): Observable<RemoteData<Bundle>> {
     return this.patchData.update(object);
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Return a list of operations representing the difference between an object and its latest value in the cache.
+   * @param object  the object to resolve to a list of patch operations
+   */
+  public createPatchFromCache(object: Bundle): Observable<Operation[]> {
+    return this.patchData.createPatchFromCache(object);
+  }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/comcol-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/comcol-data.service.ts
index 6392f389b6..abc9046cd0 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/comcol-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/comcol-data.service.ts
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import { RequestService } from './request.service';
 import { RemoteDataBuildService } from '../cache/builders/remote-data-build.service';
 import { NotificationsService } from '../../shared/notifications/notifications.service';
 import { DSOChangeAnalyzer } from './dso-change-analyzer.service';
+import { Operation } from 'fast-json-patch';
 
 export abstract class ComColDataService<T extends Community | Collection> extends IdentifiableDataService<T> implements CreateData<T>, FindAllData<T>, SearchData<T>, PatchData<T>, DeleteData<T> {
   private createData: CreateData<T>;
@@ -191,32 +192,6 @@ export abstract class ComColDataService<T extends Community | Collection> extend
     return this.findAllData.findAll(options, useCachedVersionIfAvailable, reRequestOnStale, ...linksToFollow);
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF with given options object
-   *
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @param linkPath The link path for the object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  public getFindAllHref(options?: FindListOptions, linkPath?: string, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<T>[]): Observable<string> {
-    return this.findAllData.getFindAllHref(options, linkPath, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF for a specific object's search method with given options object
-   *
-   * @param searchMethod The search method for the object
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  public getSearchByHref(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<T>[]): Observable<string> {
-    return this.searchData.getSearchByHref(searchMethod, options, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
-
   /**
    * Make a new FindListRequest with given search method
    *
@@ -261,6 +236,14 @@ export abstract class ComColDataService<T extends Community | Collection> extend
     return this.patchData.update(object);
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Return a list of operations representing the difference between an object and its latest value in the cache.
+   * @param object  the object to resolve to a list of patch operations
+   */
+  public createPatchFromCache(object: T): Observable<Operation[]> {
+    return this.patchData.createPatchFromCache(object);
+  }
+
   /**
    * Delete an existing object on the server
    * @param   objectId The id of the object to be removed
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/community-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/community-data.service.ts
index 8623d414b2..efb6d50e84 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/community-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/community-data.service.ts
@@ -36,13 +36,16 @@ export class CommunityDataService extends ComColDataService<Community> {
     super('communities', requestService, rdbService, objectCache, halService, comparator, notificationsService, bitstreamDataService);
   }
 
+  // this method is overridden in order to make it public
   getEndpoint() {
     return this.halService.getEndpoint(this.linkPath);
   }
 
   findTop(options: FindListOptions = {}, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<Community>[]): Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<Community>>> {
-    const hrefObs = this.getFindAllHref(options, this.topLinkPath);
-    return this.findListByHref(hrefObs, undefined, true, true, ...linksToFollow);
+    return this.getEndpoint().pipe(
+      map(href => `${href}/search/top`),
+      switchMap(href => this.findListByHref(href, options, true, true, ...linksToFollow))
+    );
   }
 
   protected getFindByParentHref(parentUUID: string): Observable<string> {
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/item-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/item-data.service.ts
index 11179d1e77..09268a0282 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/item-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/item-data.service.ts
@@ -345,6 +345,14 @@ export abstract class BaseItemDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<Item>
     return this.patchData.update(object);
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Return a list of operations representing the difference between an object and its latest value in the cache.
+   * @param object  the object to resolve to a list of patch operations
+   */
+  public createPatchFromCache(object: Item): Observable<Operation[]> {
+    return this.patchData.createPatchFromCache(object);
+  }
+
   /**
    * Delete an existing object on the server
    * @param   objectId The id of the object to be removed
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/metadata-field-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/metadata-field-data.service.ts
index db9361ee4c..d05e3533d3 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/metadata-field-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/metadata-field-data.service.ts
@@ -165,19 +165,6 @@ export class MetadataFieldDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<MetadataFi
     return this.createData.create(object, ...params);
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF for a specific object's search method with given options object
-   *
-   * @param searchMethod The search method for the object
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  public getSearchByHref(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<MetadataField>[]): Observable<string> {
-    return this.searchData.getSearchByHref(searchMethod, options, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
-
   /**
    * Make a new FindListRequest with given search method
    *
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/relationship-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/relationship-data.service.ts
index cab6a1ae13..d14a609a96 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/relationship-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/relationship-data.service.ts
@@ -546,17 +546,4 @@ export class RelationshipDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<Relationshi
   searchBy(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, useCachedVersionIfAvailable?: boolean, reRequestOnStale?: boolean, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<Relationship>[]): Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<Relationship>>> {
     return this.searchData.searchBy(searchMethod, options, useCachedVersionIfAvailable, reRequestOnStale, ...linksToFollow);
   }
-
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF for a specific object's search method with given options object
-   *
-   * @param searchMethod The search method for the object
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  getSearchByHref(searchMethod: string, options: FindListOptions, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<Relationship>[]): Observable<string> {
-    return this.searchData.getSearchByHref(searchMethod, options, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/data/version-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/data/version-data.service.ts
index ee7bdb2028..67c249fe0a 100644
--- a/src/app/core/data/version-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/data/version-data.service.ts
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ import { RestRequestMethod } from './rest-request-method';
 import { DefaultChangeAnalyzer } from './default-change-analyzer.service';
 import { IdentifiableDataService } from './base/identifiable-data.service';
 import { dataService } from './base/data-service.decorator';
+import { Operation } from 'fast-json-patch';
 
 /**
  * Service responsible for handling requests related to the Version object
@@ -89,4 +90,13 @@ export class VersionDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<Version> impleme
   public commitUpdates(method?: RestRequestMethod): void {
     this.patchData.commitUpdates(method);
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Return a list of operations representing the difference between an object and its latest value in the cache.
+   * @param object  the object to resolve to a list of patch operations
+   */
+  public createPatchFromCache(object: Version): Observable<Operation[]> {
+    return this.patchData.createPatchFromCache(object);
+  }
+
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/eperson/eperson-data.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/eperson/eperson-data.service.spec.ts
index aa07194992..ce0b1f3ee4 100644
--- a/src/app/core/eperson/eperson-data.service.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/eperson/eperson-data.service.spec.ts
@@ -118,24 +118,24 @@ describe('EPersonDataService', () => {
     });
 
     it('search email scope and no query', () => {
-      spyOn(service, 'getSearchByHref').and.returnValue(epersonsEndpoint);
+      spyOn((service as any).searchData, 'getSearchByHref').and.returnValue(epersonsEndpoint);
       spyOn(service, 'findByHref').and.returnValue(createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$(null));
       service.searchByScope('email', '');
       const options = Object.assign(new FindListOptions(), {
         searchParams: [Object.assign(new RequestParam('email', encodeURIComponent('')))]
       });
-      expect(service.getSearchByHref).toHaveBeenCalledWith('byEmail', options);
+      expect((service as any).searchData.getSearchByHref).toHaveBeenCalledWith('byEmail', options);
       expect(service.findByHref).toHaveBeenCalledWith(epersonsEndpoint, true, true);
     });
 
     it('search email scope with a query', () => {
-      spyOn(service, 'getSearchByHref').and.returnValue(epersonsEndpoint);
+      spyOn((service as any).searchData, 'getSearchByHref').and.returnValue(epersonsEndpoint);
       spyOn(service, 'findByHref').and.returnValue(createSuccessfulRemoteDataObject$(EPersonMock));
       service.searchByScope('email', EPersonMock.email);
       const options = Object.assign(new FindListOptions(), {
         searchParams: [Object.assign(new RequestParam('email', encodeURIComponent(EPersonMock.email)))]
       });
-      expect(service.getSearchByHref).toHaveBeenCalledWith('byEmail', options);
+      expect((service as any).searchData.getSearchByHref).toHaveBeenCalledWith('byEmail', options);
       expect(service.findByHref).toHaveBeenCalledWith(epersonsEndpoint, true, true);
     });
   });
diff --git a/src/app/core/eperson/eperson-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/eperson/eperson-data.service.ts
index 2313d2b20e..8f9312d732 100644
--- a/src/app/core/eperson/eperson-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/eperson/eperson-data.service.ts
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ export class EPersonDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<EPerson> impleme
   protected searchByMetadataPath = 'byMetadata';
 
   private createData: CreateData<EPerson>;
-  private searchData: SearchData<EPerson>;
+  private searchData: SearchDataImpl<EPerson>;
   private patchData: PatchData<EPerson>;
   private deleteData: DeleteData<EPerson>;
 
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ export class EPersonDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<EPerson> impleme
   public getEPersonByEmail(query: string, useCachedVersionIfAvailable = true, reRequestOnStale = true, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<EPerson>[]): Observable<RemoteData<EPerson | NoContent>> {
     const findListOptions = new FindListOptions();
     findListOptions.searchParams = [new RequestParam('email', encodeURIComponent(query))];
-    const href$ = this.getSearchByHref(this.searchByEmailPath, findListOptions, ...linksToFollow);
+    const href$ = this.searchData.getSearchByHref(this.searchByEmailPath, findListOptions, ...linksToFollow);
     return this.findByHref(href$, useCachedVersionIfAvailable, reRequestOnStale, ...linksToFollow);
   }
 
@@ -363,19 +363,6 @@ export class EPersonDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<EPerson> impleme
     return this.searchData.searchBy(searchMethod, options, useCachedVersionIfAvailable, reRequestOnStale, ...linksToFollow);
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF for a specific object's search method with given options object
-   *
-   * @param searchMethod The search method for the object
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  getSearchByHref(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<EPerson>[]): Observable<string> {
-    return this.searchData.getSearchByHref(searchMethod, options, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
-
   /**
    * Return a list of operations representing the difference between an object and its latest value in the cache.
    * @param object  the object to resolve to a list of patch operations
@@ -384,14 +371,28 @@ export class EPersonDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<EPerson> impleme
     return this.patchData.createPatchFromCache(object);
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Send a patch request for a specified object
+   * @param {T} object The object to send a patch request for
+   * @param {Operation[]} operations The patch operations to be performed
+   */
   patch(object: EPerson, operations: Operation[]): Observable<RemoteData<EPerson>> {
     return this.patchData.patch(object, operations);
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Add a new patch to the object cache
+   * The patch is derived from the differences between the given object and its version in the object cache
+   * @param {DSpaceObject} object The given object
+   */
   update(object: EPerson): Observable<RemoteData<EPerson>> {
     return this.patchData.update(object);
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Commit current object changes to the server
+   * @param method The RestRequestMethod for which de server sync buffer should be committed
+   */
   commitUpdates(method?: RestRequestMethod): void {
     this.patchData.commitUpdates(method);
   }
diff --git a/src/app/core/eperson/group-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/eperson/group-data.service.ts
index 6e6d1fbb9b..2ea3ffeef3 100644
--- a/src/app/core/eperson/group-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/eperson/group-data.service.ts
@@ -342,15 +342,11 @@ export class GroupDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<Group> {
     return this.createData.create(object, ...params);
   }
 
-  //
+
   searchBy(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, useCachedVersionIfAvailable?: boolean, reRequestOnStale?: boolean, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<Group>[]): Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<Group>>> {
     return this.searchData.searchBy(searchMethod, options, useCachedVersionIfAvailable, reRequestOnStale, ...linksToFollow);
   }
 
-  getSearchByHref(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<Group>[]): Observable<string> {
-    return this.searchData.getSearchByHref(searchMethod, options, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
-
   public createPatchFromCache(object: Group): Observable<Operation[]> {
     return this.patchData.createPatchFromCache(object);
   }
diff --git a/src/app/core/submission/submission-cc-license-url-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/submission/submission-cc-license-url-data.service.ts
index 3934ea7cb2..3d5dedb505 100644
--- a/src/app/core/submission/submission-cc-license-url-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/submission/submission-cc-license-url-data.service.ts
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ import { dataService } from '../data/base/data-service.decorator';
 @Injectable()
 @dataService(SUBMISSION_CC_LICENSE_URL)
 export class SubmissionCcLicenseUrlDataService extends BaseDataService<SubmissionCcLicenceUrl> implements SearchData<SubmissionCcLicenceUrl> {
-  private searchData: SearchData<SubmissionCcLicenceUrl>;
+  private searchData: SearchDataImpl<SubmissionCcLicenceUrl>;
 
   constructor(
     protected requestService: RequestService,
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ export class SubmissionCcLicenseUrlDataService extends BaseDataService<Submissio
    */
   getCcLicenseLink(ccLicense: SubmissionCcLicence, options: Map<Field, Option>): Observable<string> {
 
-    return this.getSearchByHref(
+    return this.searchData.getSearchByHref(
       'rightsByQuestions',{
         searchParams: [
           {
@@ -64,19 +64,6 @@ export class SubmissionCcLicenseUrlDataService extends BaseDataService<Submissio
     );
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF for a specific object's search method with given options object
-   *
-   * @param searchMethod The search method for the object
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  public getSearchByHref(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<SubmissionCcLicenceUrl>[]): Observable<string> {
-    return this.searchData.getSearchByHref(searchMethod, options, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
-
   /**
    * Make a new FindListRequest with given search method
    *
diff --git a/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary-entry-details.data.service.ts b/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary-entry-details.data.service.ts
index ab7646042e..184b4c1e97 100644
--- a/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary-entry-details.data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary-entry-details.data.service.ts
@@ -43,19 +43,6 @@ export class VocabularyEntryDetailsDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<V
     this.searchData = new SearchDataImpl(this.linkPath, requestService, rdbService, objectCache, halService, this.responseMsToLive);
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF with given options object
-   *
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @param linkPath The link path for the object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  public getFindAllHref(options: FindListOptions, linkPath?: string, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<VocabularyEntryDetail>[]): Observable<string> {
-    return this.findAllData.getFindAllHref(options, linkPath, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
-
   /**
    * Returns {@link RemoteData} of all object with a list of {@link FollowLinkConfig}, to indicate which embedded
    * info should be added to the objects
@@ -91,17 +78,4 @@ export class VocabularyEntryDetailsDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<V
   public searchBy(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, useCachedVersionIfAvailable?: boolean, reRequestOnStale?: boolean, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<VocabularyEntryDetail>[]): Observable<RemoteData<PaginatedList<VocabularyEntryDetail>>> {
     return this.searchData.searchBy(searchMethod, options, useCachedVersionIfAvailable, reRequestOnStale, ...linksToFollow);
   }
-
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF for a specific object's search method with given options object
-   *
-   * @param searchMethod The search method for the object
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  public getSearchByHref(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, ...linksToFollow): Observable<string> {
-    return this.searchData.getSearchByHref(searchMethod, options, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
 }
diff --git a/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.data.service.ts b/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.data.service.ts
index ef642a6793..a67b67ced7 100644
--- a/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.data.service.ts
@@ -40,19 +40,6 @@ export class VocabularyDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<Vocabulary> i
     this.findAllData = new FindAllDataImpl(this.linkPath, requestService, rdbService, objectCache, halService, this.responseMsToLive);
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF with given options object
-   *
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @param linkPath The link path for the object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  public getFindAllHref(options: FindListOptions, linkPath?: string, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<Vocabulary>[]): Observable<string> {
-    return this.findAllData.getFindAllHref(options, linkPath, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
-
   /**
    * Returns {@link RemoteData} of all object with a list of {@link FollowLinkConfig}, to indicate which embedded
    * info should be added to the objects
diff --git a/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.service.spec.ts
index ed379c812a..faa5823520 100644
--- a/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.service.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.service.spec.ts
@@ -253,7 +253,7 @@ describe('VocabularyService', () => {
         spyOn((service as any).vocabularyDataService, 'findById').and.callThrough();
         spyOn((service as any).vocabularyDataService, 'findAll').and.callThrough();
         spyOn((service as any).vocabularyDataService, 'findByHref').and.callThrough();
-        spyOn((service as any).vocabularyDataService, 'getFindAllHref').and.returnValue(observableOf(entriesRequestURL));
+        spyOn((service as any).vocabularyDataService.findAllData, 'getFindAllHref').and.returnValue(observableOf(entriesRequestURL));
       });
 
       afterEach(() => {
@@ -421,8 +421,8 @@ describe('VocabularyService', () => {
       spyOn((service as any).vocabularyEntryDetailDataService, 'findByHref').and.callThrough();
       spyOn((service as any).vocabularyEntryDetailDataService, 'findListByHref').and.callThrough();
       spyOn((service as any).vocabularyEntryDetailDataService, 'searchBy').and.callThrough();
-      spyOn((service as any).vocabularyEntryDetailDataService, 'getSearchByHref').and.returnValue(observableOf(searchRequestURL));
-      spyOn((service as any).vocabularyEntryDetailDataService, 'getFindAllHref').and.returnValue(observableOf(entryDetailChildrenRequestURL));
+      spyOn((service as any).vocabularyEntryDetailDataService.searchData, 'getSearchByHref').and.returnValue(observableOf(searchRequestURL));
+      spyOn((service as any).vocabularyEntryDetailDataService.findAllData, 'getFindAllHref').and.returnValue(observableOf(entryDetailChildrenRequestURL));
       spyOn((service as any).vocabularyEntryDetailDataService, 'getBrowseEndpoint').and.returnValue(observableOf(entryDetailEndpointURL));
     });
 
diff --git a/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.service.ts b/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.service.ts
index d29b19d97b..4a0b161f68 100644
--- a/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/submission/vocabularies/vocabulary.service.ts
@@ -281,8 +281,10 @@ export class VocabularyService {
       pageInfo.elementsPerPage,
       pageInfo.currentPage
     );
-    return this.vocabularyEntryDetailDataService.getFindAllHref(options, linkPath).pipe(
-      mergeMap((href) => this.vocabularyEntryDetailDataService.findListByHref(href, options, useCachedVersionIfAvailable, reRequestOnStale, ...linksToFollow)),
+
+    return this.vocabularyEntryDetailDataService.getBrowseEndpoint().pipe(
+      map(href => `${href}/${name}:${value}/children`),
+      switchMap(href => this.vocabularyEntryDetailDataService.findListByHref(href, options, useCachedVersionIfAvailable, reRequestOnStale, ...linksToFollow))
     );
   }
 
diff --git a/src/app/core/submission/workflowitem-data.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/submission/workflowitem-data.service.spec.ts
index 7d1bcbb381..3f6ec54fda 100644
--- a/src/app/core/submission/workflowitem-data.service.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/submission/workflowitem-data.service.spec.ts
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ describe('WorkflowItemDataService test', () => {
       service = initTestService();
 
       spyOn((service as any), 'findByHref').and.callThrough();
-      spyOn((service as any), 'getSearchByHref').and.returnValue(searchRequestURL$);
+      spyOn((service as any).searchData, 'getSearchByHref').and.returnValue(searchRequestURL$);
     });
 
     afterEach(() => {
diff --git a/src/app/core/submission/workflowitem-data.service.ts b/src/app/core/submission/workflowitem-data.service.ts
index c8cf9dd02f..47d18470d3 100644
--- a/src/app/core/submission/workflowitem-data.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/submission/workflowitem-data.service.ts
@@ -108,23 +108,10 @@ export class WorkflowItemDataService extends IdentifiableDataService<WorkflowIte
   public findByItem(uuid: string, useCachedVersionIfAvailable = false, reRequestOnStale = true, options: FindListOptions = {}, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<WorkspaceItem>[]): Observable<RemoteData<WorkspaceItem>> {
     const findListOptions = new FindListOptions();
     findListOptions.searchParams = [new RequestParam('uuid', encodeURIComponent(uuid))];
-    const href$ = this.getSearchByHref(this.searchByItemLinkPath, findListOptions, ...linksToFollow);
+    const href$ = this.searchData.getSearchByHref(this.searchByItemLinkPath, findListOptions, ...linksToFollow);
     return this.findByHref(href$, useCachedVersionIfAvailable, reRequestOnStale, ...linksToFollow);
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF for a specific object's search method with given options object
-   *
-   * @param searchMethod The search method for the object
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  public getSearchByHref(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, ...linksToFollow): Observable<string> {
-    return this.searchData.getSearchByHref(searchMethod, options, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
-
   /**
    * Make a new FindListRequest with given search method
    *
diff --git a/src/app/core/tasks/tasks.service.spec.ts b/src/app/core/tasks/tasks.service.spec.ts
index 5d9d57a11e..88b573e098 100644
--- a/src/app/core/tasks/tasks.service.spec.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/tasks/tasks.service.spec.ts
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ describe('TasksService', () => {
 
     it('should call findByHref with the href generated by getSearchByHref', () => {
 
-      spyOn(service, 'getSearchByHref').and.returnValue(observableOf('generatedHref'));
+      spyOn((service as any).searchData, 'getSearchByHref').and.returnValue(observableOf('generatedHref'));
       spyOn(service, 'findByHref').and.returnValue(observableOf(null));
 
       const followLinks = {};
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ describe('TasksService', () => {
       scheduler.schedule(() => service.searchTask('method', options, followLinks as any).subscribe());
       scheduler.flush();
 
-      expect(service.getSearchByHref).toHaveBeenCalledWith('method', options, followLinks as any);
+      expect((service as any).searchData.getSearchByHref).toHaveBeenCalledWith('method', options, followLinks as any);
       expect(service.findByHref).toHaveBeenCalledWith('generatedHref', false, true);
     });
   });
diff --git a/src/app/core/tasks/tasks.service.ts b/src/app/core/tasks/tasks.service.ts
index c2112d8e80..aaad31af21 100644
--- a/src/app/core/tasks/tasks.service.ts
+++ b/src/app/core/tasks/tasks.service.ts
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ import { IdentifiableDataService } from '../data/base/identifiable-data.service'
  * An abstract class that provides methods to handle task requests.  todo: data in name
  */
 export abstract class TasksService<T extends CacheableObject> extends IdentifiableDataService<T> implements SearchData<T> {
-  private searchData: SearchData<T>;
+  private searchData: SearchDataImpl<T>;
 
   protected constructor(
     protected linkPath: string,
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ export abstract class TasksService<T extends CacheableObject> extends Identifiab
    *   links to follow
    */
   public searchTask(searchMethod: string, options: FindListOptions = {}, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<T>[]): Observable<RemoteData<T>> {
-    const hrefObs = this.getSearchByHref(searchMethod, options, ...linksToFollow);
+    const hrefObs = this.searchData.getSearchByHref(searchMethod, options, ...linksToFollow);
     return hrefObs.pipe(
       find((href: string) => hasValue(href)),
       mergeMap((href) => this.findByHref(href, false, true).pipe(
@@ -161,19 +161,6 @@ export abstract class TasksService<T extends CacheableObject> extends Identifiab
     return options;
   }
 
-  /**
-   * Create the HREF for a specific object's search method with given options object
-   *
-   * @param searchMethod The search method for the object
-   * @param options The [[FindListOptions]] object
-   * @return {Observable<string>}
-   *    Return an observable that emits created HREF
-   * @param linksToFollow   List of {@link FollowLinkConfig} that indicate which {@link HALLink}s should be automatically resolved
-   */
-  public getSearchByHref(searchMethod: string, options?: FindListOptions, ...linksToFollow: FollowLinkConfig<T>[]): Observable<string> {
-    return this.searchData.getSearchByHref(searchMethod, options, ...linksToFollow);
-  }
-
   /**
    * Make a new FindListRequest with given search method
    *