AKRON -- A lot of Americans know very little about Mormonism and have negative impressions of what they do know.

That's one conclusion of a research study released by political science professors at the University of Akron, Brigham Young University and University of Notre Dame.

Professor John Green, director of the Ray C. Bliss Center of Applied Politics at the University of Akron, says those in the Mormon faith have not connected with mainstream America like other religions.

"Most Americans don't know that much about Mormonism and the little they know is generally negative.....It's going to be something he will have to address," Green said.

"Evangelical and fundamentalist Christians are most skeptical about voting for a Mormon....Romney's religion could be an issue in the Southern part of Ohio around Cincinnati and heading into Appalachia," Green said.

Other recent studies suggest Romney's faith may be less of an issue than many expect and may even help win  him votes.

Green said he expects attacks on Romney's religion to come from extremist websites or material distributed by Super Pac groups.

WKYC-TV