The emergence of microcomputer-based management information system (MIS) software for child development programs offers new opportunities for action research, process evaluation, and outcome assessment. Factors such as program effectiveness, quality of service, management efficiency, community networking, and demographics can be investigated while services to individuals are recorded and tracked. The article first offers examples of some agencies using their MIS data base to answer research questions. Secondly, it describes conceptual considerations relevant to the use of computerized information for research. These considerations concern: (1) the nature of the information base; (2) implications of different forms of data elements for retrieval; (3) ad hoc queries of information in a relational data base; and (4) specialized data retrieval through variable listing. Finally, special characteristics of single agency studies and multi-agency research originating from a management data base are highlighted. It is concluded that the implications of MIS-based research for decision-making and policy formation are unlimited. (RH)