How to / 02
Find the evidence you need
Move from a broad topic to a source you can read, check and cite. Start with keywords, refine the scope and inspect the original publication.
You will need: a signed-in account. Search is available on Free; saved searches and exports require trial or paid access. Ask availability follows your account.
Run a useful first search
Open Search, enter age assurance and press Enter. Start with the subject itself. You can also enter a question in the same box when Ask is available on your account.
Narrow the scope
Use Scope for jurisdiction, regulatory system, publishing regulator or organisation. Topics narrows by theme; Date filters publication dates. Use Sort to switch between relevance, newest and oldest.
Read and check the record
Open a result and check its title, publisher, publication date and source information. Use Read at source to open the original publication. Check whether it is a proposal, consultation, guidance or a final measure.
Keep the evidence usable
Within the record, Cite copies its citation. Use Pin or Save to keep useful records in My Space. Save search keeps the query so you can run it again as the record develops.
Keep the record or reuse the search
- Share
- Export
- Pin
- Save search
- Set up alerts
- Summarise
Pin keeps selected records. Save search keeps the query and filters. Find the record’s Cite control after opening it.
Your first result
A relevant original publication, a usable citation and a search you can refine or repeat. Keep the source link with any note you write.
Try it: find an official source
Use the same topic, then narrow only as far as your research question needs. The examples below are search settings, not findings about the law.
Worked example
- Search
- age assurance
- Scope
- Jurisdiction: United Kingdom
- Optional regulator
- Ofcom, if you want publications from that regulator.
- Optional authority
- Primary (official), when you need official material.
- Date and sort
- Start broadly; use Newest to review recent publications.
- Useful output
- A source link, its citation and a short note on relevance.
Use each filter for its purpose
Regulator means the publishing regulator. Organisation means an organisation named in the document. A Date filter concerns publication, so check the source separately for deadlines or dates when rules take effect.
Ask a question when useful
Try: “What has Ofcom published about age assurance?” Read the answer alongside its linked sources. Ask helps you explore a question; opening the cited records lets you check the evidence and context.
If results are thin
Remove a filter chip or widen the date range. Try a simpler term, or search a related phrase such as age verification. No matches means no matching records were found in Vellum for that search.
Before you use a source
Check the publisher, date, jurisdiction and document status. Read the relevant passage at source, including updates or corrections. A summary helps you scan; the underlying publication supplies the detail.
Check your result
Can you explain who published the material, when it was published and why it matters to your question? Keep the citation and original link with your answer.
Next: Let Vellum come to you · Turn a search into a briefing · All guides · Help & Resources · Open Vellum Search
Companion to Vellum’s Help & Resources. Controls and availability may vary by plan. Desktop workflow · October 2026
