1. A method of presenting a user with a set of query results retrieved from a database, comprising: receiving, from a requesting entity, a request to view data in the database related to a model entity predefined as a set of logically related data fields, wherein the model entity identifies an identifier in the underlying database used to identify instances of the model entity; retrieving an abstract record corresponding to the model entity, wherein the abstract record identifies a hierarchy of logical fields related to the model entity; identifying each instance of the model entity included in the query results; for each identified instance, populating a copy of the abstract record with the retrieved query results corresponding to the instance of the model entity; and returning, to the requesting entity, the identified instances of the model entity and the populated copies of the abstract record.