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A prominent political scientist has misled the public by suggesting he conducts focus group research when he actually just discusses news developments with colleagues. Iowa State University professor Steffen Schmidt, an expert on the Iowa caucuses, has written repeatedly in newspaper columns about having a focus group that gives him unique insights into politics. When pressed by The Associated Press for more details about his focus group, Schmidt said last month that it isn't the traditional research-based panel used to gather feedback on political campaigns and that it instead consisted of 15 acquaintances whom he emails informally and confidentially about issues. Pressed further, though, Schmidt said he refers to anyone he speaks with to inform his views as his focus group, be they colleagues, students or fellow customers at the feed store. Experts say Schmidt has used the term in a misleading way that inflates his expertise.

Despite claims, Iowa State expert does not run focus groups