What type of search allows users to connect search terms using specific logical operators?

The correct answer is found in the characteristics of a terms and connectors search. This type of search is specifically designed to allow users to combine search terms using logical operators such as AND, OR, and NOT. This gives users the ability to refine and focus their search results by specifying the relationships between search terms, which can significantly enhance the relevance of the results obtained.

For example, if a user is searching for information on both contracts and torts, they could use the logical operator AND to find documents that include both terms. Conversely, using OR would yield documents that contain either term, and NOT would help filter out irrelevant information by excluding certain terms. This structured approach contrasts with other search methods that might not permit such precise and logical combinations of terms.

Natural language search, while user-friendly, interprets queries in a more conversational manner and doesn't typically rely on logical operators. Full-text search retrieves documents based on the appearance of terms anywhere in the textual content, while metadata search focuses on retrieving information based on descriptive data about the documents rather than the contents themselves. These methods lack the specificity and control afforded by a terms and connectors approach.