| Abstract: | This study sought to determine whether students were able to identify significant  turning point events contributing to relational changes with university instructors. Fifty-two senior university students were interviewed using the Retrospective Interview Technique. A total of 117 turning points were identified. Content analysis of the data revealed two mutually exclusive and exhaustive categories: Perception of Instructional Communication Competence and Character and Perception of Instructor's Management Style. These major categories were further divided into six subcategories. The paper concludes with discussion of the implications of these findings and recommendations for future research.Karen Lynn O'Neill is an M.A. graduate of the College of Communication, California State University at Chico (CSUC). Her thesis, upon which this article is based, was singled out for special distinction by the CSUC Communication Graduate Faculty. She currently teaches in the CSUC Department of Management. William R. Todd-Mancillas obtained his Ph.D. from the College of Communication, Florida State University. His present research interests concern factors affecting student evaluation of faculty and instruction. |
