The document discusses the entity-relationship (E-R) model, which is a high-level conceptual data model introduced by Peter Chen in 1976. The E-R model represents entities, attributes, and relationships. Entity relationship diagrams (ERDs) are used to graphically represent the E-R model. ERDs help in mapping the conceptual data model to logical and physical data models used in database management systems (DBMS). The E-R model defines key concepts like entities, attributes, relationships, relationship sets, and relationship types.