Final answer:
The random selection method that requires a set of guidelines or rules is called an algorithm, which is a fundamental concept in mathematics and particularly in computer science. Algorithms provide consistent and detailed instructions like a recipe, ensuring the same outcomes with each use and are integral to various sampling methods.
Step-by-step explanation:
The random selection method which has a set of guidelines or rules that tell how it should be done is known as an algorithm. An algorithm is a prescribed set of rules, choices, and decisions that lead to a desired outcome in a finite number of steps. It is applied in various fields, particularly in computer science, and is essential for executing complex tasks in a consistent and reliable manner. Algorithms are akin to a recipe that, when followed, produces the same result every time.
For example, using simple random sampling, every member of a population might be assigned a number and a random number generator can be employed to select a sample. This ensures that each high school student has the same probability of being chosen, maintaining the process's fairness and randomness. Other different strategies such as stratified, systematic, and cluster sampling involve different approaches but are also underpinned by algorithms.
In the context of probability and statistics, particularly when discussing sampling methods, the term 'protocol' might be used to describe the set of rules governing the selection process. However, seeing as an algorithm is effectively a set of instructions or a process following the same path to achieve the desired outcome, it is the most accurate answer to the student's question.