Problems exist in the use and application of information from scientific research in decision-making processes in education. On a macrosocial level, a theme is present in the use of information in decision making that is applicable to relationships between science and politics. This theme is strongly influenced by the prevailing national culture and social norms of a society. Given this, an ethos can be distinguished in decision making between the Saxon and Iberian cultures. These beliefs contain certain power structures assigned to each social group, and they also outline how power is demonstrated. On a microsocial level, information is used by consumers or families to make decisions concerning certain products or services, including education. Information also affects the conduct of people who transmit knowledge, from the student-teacher relationship to an entire school system. Chapters address the following topics: the context of dialogue among producers, disseminators, and users of information in education; the Latin American Network of Information and Documentation in Education as a regional network and as a database system; panorama of Latin American research; the use of information on education policy formulation; computerization of education databases and the European/Ibero-American interconnection; and initiatives in Ibero-American cooperation. Three appendices are included. (JPT)