Introduction

The Eagle’s Eye: Index to the Metroplex is the product of a group effort by the Indexing & Abstracting Class, Summer I, 1998 at the School of Library and Information Science, University of North Texas. Our goal was to list resources available to visitors and new residents in the Metroplex area. The need for a resource such as this index has grown in recent months due to the implementation of a distance learning program at the School of Library and Information Science. There is a wealth of information online about the Metroplex area. However, if you are new to the area it may be difficult to find the information you need. This index is designed to give easy access to quality sites that have useful information on resources in the Metroplex and maps to get you there.

The class formed five self-selected teams chosen by categories. Members of the teams and subject areas are:

Team A (Educational Resources) -- Susan Pare (leader), Rebekah Lee and Vicki Lindsay (reporters),  Rosanna Caldwell and Jacqueline Toomer.

Team B (Cultural Resources) -- George Fowler, Lynn Davis, Carrick Arehart, Michelle Armstrong (leader) and Pam Hight (reporter).

Team C (Transportation) -- Andrew Marmor (reporter), Carol Byrne, Ann Halligan and Miguel Morales and Steve Sitz (leader)

Team D (Services) -- Michelle Hicks, Patrick Reilly (reporter), Viola Holder, Sheryl Katzin and Karen Neal (leader).

Team E (Other) -- Katy Miller (leader), Wendy Kraemer (reporter), Anthony Halstead, Theresa Russell,  and Mike Pullin.

During the development of the project plan the following steps were outlined:

1. Identification

• Identify Users - As a class, the potential users of this index were discussed. The need for a resource of this type was also discussed.
• Define Categories - The major subject categories to be covered were identified and selected. Then each category was given to a smaller group

• Identify resources - Each group identified resources that contained pertinent information on their topic.
• Evaluate Resources - The members of the group then evaluated the resources they had identified based on authority, scope, currency, arrangement, format and special features the site had to offer.
• Select Resources - Based on the team evaluation, resources were selected that would be indexed in our final index.
• Show and Tell - The individual groups came back together as a class to show the resources selected and explain why each site was selected. The class then provided feedback as a group and the necessary changes were made.

• Describe categories - The categories were described as a class.

• Create stop lists - Stop lists were created to be used in our index.

• Establish rules - Rules to be followed were established as a class. This included such issues as how to handle references, synonyms, homonyms, plurals,etc.

• Choose Index Terms - Each individual team chose three index terms to describe each site that would be included in the final project.

• Compile Index - The class came back together with each team's index terms. These five lists were compiled into our final index that covered all categories.

• Design Project - As a class, the final design of the project was decided. This included such issues as the desired look of the web page.
• Create Template - An assigned team created the template for our completed project.
• Develop Coding - An assigned team developed the coding for the final project.
• Write Introduction - An introduction was written to be included in the final project. This introduction included who developed the index and why, what the purpose of the index was and when it was created.
• Choose Graphics - A team was assigned the task of identifying the pictures, maps, etc. to be used.
• Create Map - A map was created to be included on the homepage of the final index.
• Create Index - The final comprehensive index was added and linked.
• Choose Search Engine - A search engine was chosen for the final project.

• Create Updating Procedure - A procedure was developed to ensure that this index would stay current, and therefore useful, after the completion of the class.

The final project was evaluated by the evaluation team.

This project was designed to assist individuals moving to or visiting the Dallas, Ft. Worth, Denton area. Many of the students need to come to the Denton area for a variety of reasons. The Metroplex area is spread out and it can be difficult to find things. There is no central website that tells you what you need to know if moving or visiting here. This index is an attempt to rectify the problem. The site is a series of links organized in a common-sense manner by a vocabulary controlled index..

The project began on June 15, 1998. We met as a class 8 times over four weeks for 4 hours. Each group spent an average of 20 hours outside of class on the project. The class was divided into 5 groups. These were Entertainment, Education, Services and Culture. The last group gathered sites that did not fall into any of the other categories. It is estimated that a total of 400 hours were spent on this project. The majority of time was spent finding, evaluating, and selecting the websites to be included. Approximately one half of our time was also spent selecting the index terms as a class. When this was done the class broke into groups to do tasks such as HTML coding, the design of the site and writing. The creation of the project timeline assisted the class in determining the amount of time necessary for each step. By doing this, the class was able to work efficiently and meet deadlines. The project timeline follows:

The Metroplex Eagle Index includes an online survey (link to survey) that users are encouraged to use to provide feedback. The information provided by users will help determine the usability of the index and provide a measure of how valuable the information contained is. One of the objectives of the evaluation process will be to determine how well the site meets the needs of our distance learning students. 

The evaluation process will consist of several steps.  There will be several test groups that will be observed using the site and required to complete designated tasks. The online survey results will be used with the observation and task oriented results to decide if this site is useful and pertinent.  We plan to publish the results of the evaluation process after data collection and evaluation are completed. 

The online survey results will also be collected on a continual basis after the initial data collection and used to update and evaluate users' impressions and suggestions of this site.

The evaluation team consists of Miguel Alvarez, Michelle Hicks, Theresa Russell, and Jacqueline Toomer.

The site will be maintained by Dr. S.K. Hastings as well as designated members of the SLIS 5205 Information Indexing, Abstracting, and Retrieval class.

As mentioned previously, the Eagle’s Eye: Index to the Metroplex was designed to provide an extensive and organized index of online resources available in the North Texas area. The management of such a large group of people as well as such an extensive project proved to be challenging, but also incredibly rewarding. Completing such an extensive project provided members of the class many good opportunities. However, the activity itself did not provide as much actual indexing practice as would have been possible with a more traditional assignment. The ability of each member of the class to be flexible during both small group and class activities, helped to produce the final results. The Eagle’s Eye: Index to the Metroplex hopes to serve as a valuable resource to both future UNT students and residents of the North Texas area.

One of the biggest challenges faced by members of the class was poor communication. Despite in-class time and access to web conferencing software, it was still difficult to coordinate within and among the various teams. Several times, misunderstandings regarding the criteria that would be used for website and index term selection caused confusion and took up in-class time. However, several class members noted that because of this challenge, they had to learn to work together not only as individual teams but as members of an entire class as well.

Additionally, it was very difficult to clearly visualize how the final index would be laid out. Having a better conception of what the final index would be might have saved time and avoided confusion. This was difficult to do when a bilingual index of this size is not readily available.