index.qmd

---
title: Welcome to the JGI Data Science Handbook
---

## Purpose of the handbook

This handbook aims to:

- make new members of the team familiar with **how we work**,
- be a place for us to share **important information**, advice, best practices and useful tools,
- and commit us to producing **quality outputs** in a positive working environment.

There are already many excellent resources both within the University and on the web, so this handbook gives a minimal overview of each area and signposts where to find out more.
We give specific examples where we're adding something that isn't said elsewhere or where we're suggesting a common approach or 'house style' relevant to the team.

## Further reading

One guide we like is the Government Analysis Function guidance on "Quality assurance of code for analysis and research" produced by the ONS, also known as [the Duck Book](https://best-practice-and-impact.github.io/qa-of-code-guidance/).

The are also many templates for data science projects.
One such template is the [govcookiecutter](https://best-practice-and-impact.github.io/govcookiecutter/) and [its associated blog post](https://dataingovernment.blog.gov.uk/2021/07/20/govcookiecutter-a-template-for-data-science-projects/).
Whilst we don't specify a particular template, they all provide good inspiration.