Virtual Assistant Research Source Log

Key takeaways

• Use a written brief and definition of done.
• Keep approvals and escalation rules visible.
• Review quality before expanding the workflow.

# Virtual Assistant Research Source Log

A practical guide to supporting research administration with clear records, review ownership, and responsible follow-up.

Virtual Assistant Research Source Log starts with a clear brief

Start with the outcome, source material, deadline, reviewer, and escalation rule. For research administration, record publisher, title, URL, access date, supported claim, scope, and review notes. The assistant should be able to tell what is ready, what is missing, and who can answer the next question. A written brief also protects the owner from silent assumptions. Keep sensitive information limited to the people and systems that need it, and identify the exact point where human judgment is required.

Make research administration reviewable

For a reliable handoff, separate direct facts from interpretation and mark outdated or promotional sources. Use a small queue with a status, next action, and evidence link. Review examples early, record recurring questions, and update the guidance when the same ambiguity appears twice. The assistant can organize, compare, draft, and flag. The owner retains approvals, policy interpretation, sensitive decisions, and irreversible changes. This boundary keeps support useful without making an administrative record look more certain than its source. For a related planning reference, see the [client onboarding checklist](/blog/virtual-assistant-client-onboarding-checklist) and the [weekly task prioritization guide](/blog/virtual-assistant-weekly-task-prioritization). Use the [NIST small business cybersecurity guidance](https://www.nist.gov/itl/smallbusinesscyber) when access or information handling is part of the work.

Frequently asked questions

### What should the assistant receive first? A concise brief, approved examples, the source of truth, the required format, and a clear owner for exceptions. ### When should the owner review the work? Review every item at first. Move to sampling only after the work is accurate, predictable, and easy to audit.