Pathways describes studies as having been conducted in rural only settings if the study authors reported that the study was conducted in a rural location or in multiple locations, all of which were rural. This typically means that they were conducted in communities with low population density, such as small towns, that typically include large tracts of undeveloped land. Interventions are listed as having been tested in rural only settings if at least one study of the intervention was in a rural only setting.

Pathways describes studies as having been conducted in suburban only settings if the study authors reported that the study was conducted in a suburban location or in multiple locations, all of which were suburban. This typically means that they were conducted in communities with moderate population density, such as large towns or neighborhoods outside of cities, where residential areas are typically separate from commercial areas. Interventions are listed as having been tested in suburban only settings if at least one study of the intervention was in a suburban only setting.

Pathways describes studies as having been conducted in multiple settings if the study authors do not describe the study as having been conducted in communities that were exclusively rural, exclusively suburban, or exclusively urban. In other words, when study authors do not specify the study as having been implemented in a specific type of setting, then Pathways classifies the study as tested in multiple settings. For example, an intervention may be tested across multiple counties or an entire state, which include different types of communities. Interventions are listed as having been tested in multiple settings if at least one study of the intervention is characterized that way.

Pathways describes studies as having been conducted in urban only settings if the study authors reported that the study was conducted in an urban location or in multiple locations, all of which were urban. This typically means that they were conducted in cities or adjacent areas with high population density and where residential and commercial buildings are adjacent to one another. Interventions are listed as having been tested in urban only settings if at least one study of the intervention was in an urban only setting.