What method allows for records to be accessed in any order?

The method that allows for records to be accessed in any order is the random access file structure. This approach provides the flexibility for users to retrieve or modify data without needing to read through all preceding records. In a random access file structure, each record is referenced by a unique identifier or location, enabling quick access regardless of the record's position within the file.

In contrast, other methods like the sequential access file structure require data to be accessed in a specific, predetermined order, which can slow down retrieval times, especially for large datasets. The hierarchical and network models are more specialized in their data organization and relationships, focusing primarily on how records relate to one another, rather than providing the freedom of accessing data non-sequentially. These models are great for representing structured data but do not inherently support the principle of random access. Thus, random access file structure is invaluable in environments requiring fast and flexible data interactions.