In the terminology of economics and social sciences, a “framework” is a model for the abstract description and classification of phenomena in their context on the basis of criteria that have been specifically selected with regard to the intendend analysis.

The framework represents a well-founded abstraction or conception of a larger structure of elements and relations, through which an appropriate description, explanation or design is to be made possible.

The word “frame of reference” are largely synonymous with the term “framework”.