Reconstructing students’ subjective theories on self-directed learning a qualitative research approach in Software Engineering education Considering the claim of furthering self-directed learning in higher education in general and in SoftwareEngineering education in particular, this paper deals with a new approach on understanding and facilitating self-directed learning. This approach involves the concept of subjective theories, which are expected to influence students’ self-directed learning. Therefore this paper presents the intended qualitative research design for reconstructing these subjective theories and for developing ways of integrating them in didactical situations in higher education and especially in Software Engineeringeducation.