a general or overarching category of related concepts that is typically too vague or wide-ranging to be measured directly. It often serves as an umbrella for more specific and measurable areas, called target domains. Broad domains highlight what is important to measure, but by themselves they rarely provide the specificity needed for concrete measurement or evaluation. It is also important to note that not every target domain necessarily fits under a broad domain.
Synonyms: Overarching Domain, High-Level Domain, Parent Domain
Example
Pain is a broad domain. It encompasses narrower, measurable target domains such as pain intensity (the severity of pain experienced) and pain interference (how much pain disrupts daily activities). While pain identifies an area of importance, measurement typically occurs at the level of these target domains.