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= Market Research for IT Startups =
= Calculus I =
 
* Course name: Calculus I
+
* '''Course name''': Market Research for IT Startups
  +
* '''Code discipline''':
* Course number: XYZ
 
  +
* '''Subject area''': Technological Entrepreneurship
   
== Course Characteristics ==
+
== Short Description ==
  +
This course is for students who see themselves as entrepreneurs. The course is designed for the early development of business ideas and provides methods and guidelines for business research. The course teaches how to assess the potential of business ideas, hypothesis thinking, methods for generating ideas and testing their quality
   
  +
== Prerequisites ==
=== Key concepts of the class ===
 
* Calculus for the functions of one variable: differentiation
 
* Calculus for the functions of one variable: integration
 
* Basics of series
 
* Multivariate calculus: derivatives, differentials, maxima and minima
 
* Multivariate integration
 
* Functional series. Fourier series
 
* Integrals with parameters
 
   
  +
=== Prerequisite subjects ===
=== What is the purpose of this course? ===
 
  +
* N/A
The course is designed to provide Software Engineers the knowledge of basic (core) concepts, definitions, theoretical results and techniques of calculus for the functions of one and several variables. The goal of the course is to study basic mathematical concepts that will be required in further studies.
 
 
This calculus course will provide an opportunity for participants to understand key principles involved in differentiation and integration of functions: solve problems that connect small-scale (differential) quantities to large-scale (integrated) quantities,
 
get hands-on experience with the integral and derivative applications and of the inverse relationship between integration and differentiation.
 
 
All definitions and theorem statements (that will be given in lectures and that are needed to explain the keywords listed above) will be formal, but just few of these theorems will be proven formally. Instead (in the tutorial and practice classes) we will try these definitions and theorems on work with routine exercises and applied problems.
 
   
  +
=== Prerequisite topics ===
=== Course objectives based on Bloom’s taxonomy ===
 
  +
* N/A
   
  +
== Course Topics ==
==== - What should a student remember at the end of the course? ====
 
By the end of the course, the students should be able to
 
* what the partial and directional derivatives of functions of several variables are
 
* basic techniques of integration of functions of one variables
 
* how to calculate line and path integrals
 
* distinguish between point wise and uniform convergence of series and improper integrals
 
* decompose a function into Fourier series
 
* calculate Fourier transform of a function
 
 
==== - What should a student be able to understand at the end of the course? ====
 
By the end of the course, the students should be able to
 
* how to find minima and maxima of a function of various orders
 
* how to represent double integrals as iterated integrals and vice versa
 
* what the length of a curve and the area of a surface is
 
* properties of uniformly convergent series and improper integrals
 
* how to find Fourier transform of a function
 
 
==== - What should a student be able to apply at the end of the course? ====
 
By the end of the course, the students should be able to
 
* take derivatives of various type functions and of various orders
 
* integrate the functions of one and several variables
 
* apply definite integration
 
* expand functions into Taylor series
 
* find multiple, path, surface integrals
 
* find the range of a function in a given domain
 
* decompose a function into Fourier series
 
=== Course evaluation ===
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Course grade breakdown
+
|+ Course Sections and Topics
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Section !! Topics within the section
! Type !! Points
 
 
|-
 
|-
| Labs/seminar classes || 12
+
| Ideation tools ||
  +
# Art VS Creativity
  +
# Ability to discover
  +
# How to generate ideas
  +
# Creativity sources
  +
# Ideation in groups
  +
# Rules for ideation for startups
 
|-
 
|-
| Interim performance assessment || 48
+
| Market research content ||
  +
# Types of research: primary vs secondary
  +
# How to plan a research
  +
# Market research chapters content
  +
# Frameworks used in a market research (SWOT, Persona, etc)
  +
# Tools and sources to conduct a competitors analysis
 
|-
 
|-
| Exams || 140
+
| Customer development ||
  +
# Interviews are the main tool for “Get Out The Building” technique
|}
 
  +
# The "Mum's Test"
 
  +
# Jobs-To-Be-Done
=== Grades range ===
 
  +
# Good and bad interview questions
{| class="wikitable"
 
|+ Course grading range
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Market sizing ||
! Grade !! Points
 
  +
# Market analysis VS market sizing
  +
# Sizing stakeholders and their interests
  +
# Sizing methods
  +
# TAM SAM SOM calculation examples
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Data for a research ||
| A || [180, 200]
 
  +
# Sources and tools for competitors overview
  +
# Sources and tools for product and traffic analysis
  +
# Sources and tools for trend watching
  +
# Life hacks for search
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Founder motivation ||
| B || [150, 179]
 
  +
# Ways to Stay Motivated as an Entrepreneur
  +
# Exercises for founders motivation
 
|-
 
|-
| C || [120, 149]
+
| Pitch Day ||
  +
# Market research results presentations
|-
 
| D || [0, 119]
 
 
|}
 
|}
=== Resources and reference material ===
 
* Claudio Canuto, Anita Tabacco Mathematical Analysis I (Second Edition), Springler
 
* Claudio Canuto, Anita Tabacco Mathematical Analysis II (Second Edition), Springler
 
* Jerrold Marsden, Alan Weinstein Calculus (in three volumes), Springer
 
* Demidovich, B. Problems in mathematical analysis. Translator: G. Yankovsky, Mir publisher
 
* Zorich, V. A. Mathematical Analysis I, Translator: Cooke R.
 
== Course Sections ==
 
The main sections of the course and approximate hour distribution between them is as follows:
 
=== Section 1 ===
 
   
  +
== Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) ==
==== Section title ====
 
  +
Sequences and Limits
 
  +
=== What is the main purpose of this course? ===
  +
This course aims to give students theoretical knowledge and practical skills on how to assess market potential at an early stage of an IT startup (or any company) development. The ultimate goal is to teach students to conduct market research for their business.
  +
  +
=== ILOs defined at three levels ===
  +
  +
==== Level 1: What concepts should a student know/remember/explain? ====
  +
By the end of the course, the students should be able to ...
  +
* Market research techniques using open data,
  +
* Typology of market assessment methods,
  +
* Types of research data and their application,
  +
* Market research components: competitors overview, value proposition, trend watching, venture status, business models, buyers profile etc
   
  +
==== Level 2: What basic practical skills should a student be able to perform? ====
==== Topics covered in this section ====
 
  +
By the end of the course, the students should be able to ...
* Sequences. Limits of sequences
 
  +
* Methods of ideation,
* Limits of sequences. Limits of functions
 
  +
* TAM SAM SOM method, 2 approaches,
* Limits of functions. Continuity. Hyperbolic functions
 
  +
* Applied tools and resources for market sizing,
  +
* Principles to work with business hypotheses
   
==== What forms of evaluation were used to test students’ performance in this section? ====
+
==== Level 3: What complex comprehensive skills should a student be able to apply in real-life scenarios? ====
  +
By the end of the course, the students should be able to ...
  +
* Identify and describe the market
  +
* Assess market potential for any business idea
  +
* Conduct relevant market research before starting up a business
  +
* Use the most relevant and high-quality data for a market research
  +
  +
== Grading ==
  +
  +
=== Course grading range ===
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|+
 
|+
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Grade !! Range !! Description of performance
! Form !! Yes/No
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| A. Excellent || 85.0-100.0 || -
| Development of individual parts of software product code || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
| Homework and group projects || 1
+
| B. Good || 70.0-84.0 || -
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| C. Satisfactory || 50.0-69.0 || -
| Midterm evaluation || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
| Testing (written or computer based) || 1
+
| D. Fail || 0.0-50.0 || -
  +
|}
  +
  +
=== Course activities and grading breakdown ===
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|+
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Activity Type !! Percentage of the overall course grade
| Reports || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Paper #0: Market research structure || 0-10 scale (costs 10% final)
| Essays || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Paper #1: TAM SAM SOM || 0-10 scale (costs 20% final)
| Oral polls || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Workshops activity || 3 points for each of 7 workshops: 1 point=participation, 2 points=discussion, 3 points=valuable results (costs 21% final)
| Discussions || 1
 
  +
|-
  +
| Paper #2: Market research || 0-10 scale (costs 30% final)
  +
|-
  +
| Final Presentation || 0-10 scale (costs 20% final)
 
|}
 
|}
   
  +
=== Recommendations for students on how to succeed in the course ===
==== Typical questions for ongoing performance evaluation within this section ====
 
  +
Participation is important. Showing up and participating in discussions is the key to success in this course.<br>Students work in teams, so coordinating teamwork will be an important factor for success.<br>Reading the provided materials is mandatory, as lectures will mainly consist of discussions and reflections not slides or reading from scratch.<br>The main assignment in the course is Market research paper which is supposed to be useful not only for this course but s a basis for future business oriented courses
# A sequence, limiting value
 
# Limit of a sequence, convergent and divergent sequences
 
# Increasing and decreasing sequences, monotonic sequences
 
# Bounded sequences. Properties of limits
 
# Theorem about bounded and monotonic sequences.
 
# Cauchy sequence. The Cauchy Theorem (criterion).
 
# Limit of a function. Properties of limits.
 
# The first remarkable limit.
 
# The Cauchy criterion for the existence of a limit of a function. \item Second remarkable limit.
 
   
  +
== Resources, literature and reference materials ==
==== Typical questions for seminar classes (labs) within this section ====
 
# Find a limit of a sequence
 
# Find a limit of a function
 
   
  +
=== Open access resources ===
==== Tasks for midterm assessment within this section ====
 
  +
* - article with reflections on the methodology book on the 55 typical business models
  +
* - a book with instructions on how to communicate with your potential users. How to conduct interviews so that you understand what the client wants to say and not what you want to hear.
  +
* - the case book on the Jobs To Be Done. With JTBD, we can make predictions about which products will be in demand in the market and which will not. The idea behind the theory is that people don't buy products, but "hire" them to perform certain jobs.
  +
* A selection of with a summary of key ideas from Harvard Business Review
  +
* F. Sesno "" - the book on how to get information out of people through questions.
  +
* a visual guide book to dealing with your inner procrastinator
   
  +
=== Closed access resources ===
  +
* Crunchbase.com
  +
* Statista.com
   
  +
=== Software and tools used within the course ===
==== Test questions for final assessment in this section ====
 
  +
* Boardofinnovation.com
# Find limits of the following sequences or prove that they do not exist:
 
  +
* Miro.com
# $a_n=n-\sqrt{n^2-70n+1400}$;
 
  +
* Notion.com
# $d_n=\left(\frac{2n-4}{2n+1}\right)^{n}$;
 
  +
* MS Teams
# $x_n=\frac{\left(2n^2+1\right)^6(n-1)^2}{\left(n^7+1000n^6-3\right)^2}$.
 
=== Section 2 ===
 
   
  +
= Teaching Methodology: Methods, techniques, & activities =
==== Section title ====
 
Differentiation
 
   
  +
== Activities and Teaching Methods ==
==== Topics covered in this section ====
 
* Derivatives. Differentials
 
* Mean-Value Theorems
 
* l'Hopital’s rule
 
* Taylor Formula with Lagrange and Peano remainders
 
* Taylor formula and limits
 
* Increasing / decreasing functions. Concave / convex functions
 
 
==== What forms of evaluation were used to test students’ performance in this section? ====
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|+ Teaching and Learning Methods within each section
|+
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Teaching Techniques !! Section 1 !! Section 2 !! Section 3 !! Section 4 !! Section 5 !! Section 6 !! Section 7
! Form !! Yes/No
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Problem-based learning (students learn by solving open-ended problems without a strictly-defined solution) || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
| Development of individual parts of software product code || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Project-based learning (students work on a project) || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
| Homework and group projects || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Differentiated learning (provide tasks and activities at several levels of difficulty to fit students needs and level) || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
| Midterm evaluation || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Contextual learning (activities and tasks are connected to the real world to make it easier for students to relate to them); || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
| Testing (written or computer based) || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Business game (learn by playing a game that incorporates the principles of the material covered within the course). || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
| Reports || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| inquiry-based learning || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
| Essays || 0
 
  +
|}
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|+ Activities within each section
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Learning Activities !! Section 1 !! Section 2 !! Section 3 !! Section 4 !! Section 5 !! Section 6 !! Section 7
| Oral polls || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Interactive Lectures || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
| Discussions || 1
 
|}
 
 
==== Typical questions for ongoing performance evaluation within this section ====
 
# A plane curve is given by $x(t)=-\frac{t^2+4t+8}{t+2}$, $y(t)=\frac{t^2+9t+22}{t+6}$. Find \begin{enumerate} \item the asymptotes of this curve; \item the derivative $y'_x$. \end{
 
 
==== Typical questions for seminar classes (labs) within this section ====
 
# Differentiation techniques: inverse, implicit, parametric etc.
 
# Find a derivative of a function
 
# Apply Leibniz formula
 
# Draw graphs of functions
 
# Find asymptotes of a parametric function
 
 
==== Tasks for midterm assessment within this section ====
 
 
 
==== Test questions for final assessment in this section ====
 
# Find a derivative of a (implicit/inverse) function
 
# Apply Leibniz formula
 
# Draw graphs of functions
 
# Find asymptotes
 
# Apply l'Hopital’s rule
 
# Find the derivatives of the following functions: \begin{enumerate}
 
# $f(x)=\log_{|\sin x|}\sqrt[6]{x^2+6}$;
 
# $y(x)$ that is given implicitly by $x^3+5xy+y^3=0$. \end{
 
=== Section 3 ===
 
 
==== Section title ====
 
Integration and Series
 
 
==== Topics covered in this section ====
 
* Antiderivative. Indefinite integral
 
* Definite integral
 
* The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
 
* Improper Integrals
 
* Convergence tests. Dirichlet's test
 
* Series. Convergence tests
 
* Absolute / Conditional convergence
 
* Power Series. Radius of convergence
 
* Functional series. Uniform convergence
 
 
==== What forms of evaluation were used to test students’ performance in this section? ====
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|+
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Lab exercises || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 0
! Form !! Yes/No
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Group projects || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 1
| Development of individual parts of software product code || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Flipped classroom || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 0
| Homework and group projects || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Discussions || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 1
| Midterm evaluation || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Presentations by students || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1
| Testing (written or computer based) || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
| Reports || 0
+
| Oral Reports || 1 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Cases studies || 0 || 1 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 1 || 0
| Essays || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Experiments || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
| Oral polls || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Written reports || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0
| Discussions || 1
 
  +
|-
  +
| Individual Projects || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0
  +
|-
  +
| Peer Review || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1
 
|}
 
|}
   
  +
== Formative Assessment and Course Activities ==
==== Typical questions for ongoing performance evaluation within this section ====
 
# Find the indefinite integral $\displaystyle\int x\ln\left(x+\sqrt{x^2-1}\right)\,dx$.
 
# Find the length of a curve given by $y=\ln\sin x$, $\frac{\pi}4\leqslant x\leqslant\frac{\pi}2$.
 
# Find all values of parameter $\alpha$ such that series $\displaystyle\sum\limits_{k=1}^{+\infty}\left(\frac{3k+2}{2k+1}\right)^k\alpha^k$ converges.
 
   
  +
=== Ongoing performance assessment ===
==== Typical questions for seminar classes (labs) within this section ====
 
# Integration techniques
 
# Integration by parts
 
# Calculation of areas, lengths, volumes
 
# Application of convergence tests
 
# Calculation of Radius of convergence
 
   
  +
==== Section 1 ====
==== Tasks for midterm assessment within this section ====
 
 
 
==== Test questions for final assessment in this section ====
 
# Find the following integrals:
 
# $\int\frac{\sqrt{4+x^2}+2\sqrt{4-x^2}}{\sqrt{16-x^4}}\,dx$;
 
# $\int2^{2x}e^x\,dx$;
 
# $\int\frac{dx}{3x^2-x^4}$.
 
# Use comparison test to determine if the following series converge.
 
# Use Cauchy criterion to prove that the series $\sum\limits_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{k+1}{k^2+3}$ is divergent.
 
# Find the sums of the following series:
 
# $\sum\limits_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac1{16k^2-8k-3}$;
 
# $\sum\limits_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{k-\sqrt{k^2-1}}{\sqrt{k^2+k}}$.
 
=== Section 4 ===
 
 
==== Section title ====
 
Differential Analysis of Functions of Several Variables
 
 
==== Topics covered in this section ====
 
* Limits of functions of several variables
 
* Partial and directional derivatives of functions of several variables. Gradient
 
* Differentials of functions of several variables. Taylor formula
 
* Maxima and minima for functions of several variables
 
* Maxima and minima for functions of several variables subject to a constraint
 
 
==== What forms of evaluation were used to test students’ performance in this section? ====
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|+
 
|+
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Activity Type !! Content !! Is Graded?
! Form !! Yes/No
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Discussion || Difference between Art and Creativity. Examples from your personal experience <br> Tools to manage your attention: work with exercises above <br> Is it true that an ideation stage is the very first step to take when starting your own business? If not, what needs to be done before? <br> Idea diary: share your experience, was it useful? How to keep motivation to continue? <br> Sharing your business ideas: is it risky for a founder? Why? <br> Name and discuss principles of hypothesis thinking <br> Name and comment on ideation tool you know. Did you have an experience with it? <br> Where to take creativity? Your advice <br> Lets find examples of “Steal like an artist” approach among startups <br> Create a list of 5 business ideas you have ever had in your mind. Choose 1 and make an exhaustive list of the problems that are associated with the proposed business idea. || 0
| Development of individual parts of software product code || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Workshop || Break into teams, choose from the list below 1 tool to work with. Use the templates to create new business ideas. Summarize the results. Share your results and experience of using the template with other teams || 1
| Homework and group projects || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Exercise || Start an "Idea diary" (not necessarily business ideas): create a convenient place for notes (notion, pinterest, instagram, paper notebook, etc.). Note the time/place/circumstances of ideas coming, learn to write down ideas. Draw conclusions from 1 week's work: where, when, how, why new ideas arise and whether you can manage their flow. || 0
| Midterm evaluation || 1
 
  +
|}
  +
  +
==== Section 2 ====
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|+
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Activity Type !! Content !! Is Graded?
| Testing (written or computer based) || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Discussion || What are the basic steps in market research? <br> What are the commonly used market research methods? <br> What research question types can be asked in surveys? <br> Should startup prefer primary or secondary research? || 0
| Reports || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Workshop || SWOT analysis: compare your business idea with competitors and market situation <br> Get familiar with industry trends and reports: Find and create a list of 3 to 5 business research papers or trend reports in your industry || 0
| Essays || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Home written assignment || Market research doc: create a structure that is: <br> 1-2 pages long <br> Describes your business idea <br> Contains the structure of your future research <br> Contains a list of questions to answer during the research for each chapter proposed <br> Contains links and references to data sources potentilly interesting to use in a research <br> Its feasible: it should be a chance you may answer all the questions stated in the doc <br> The doc format is designed and well structured || 1
| Oral polls || 0
 
|-
 
| Discussions || 0
 
 
|}
 
|}
   
  +
==== Section 3 ====
==== Typical questions for ongoing performance evaluation within this section ====
 
# Find $\lim\limits_{x\to0}\lim\limits_{y\to0}u(x;y)$, $\lim\limits_{y\to0}\lim\limits_{x\to0}u(x;y)$ and $\lim\limits_{(x;y)\to(0;0)}u(x;y)$ if $u(x;y)=\frac{x^2y+xy^2}{x^2-xy+y^2}$.
 
# Find the differential of a function: (a)~$u(x;y)=\ln\left(x+\sqrt{x^2+y^2}\right)$; \; (b)~$u(x;y)=\ln\sin\frac{x+1}{\sqrt y}$.
 
# Find the differential of $u(x;y)$ given implicitly by an equation $x^3+2y^3+u^3-3xyu+2y-3=0$ at points $M(1;1;1)$ and $N(1;1;-2)$.
 
# Find maxima and minima of a function subject to a constraint (or several constraints): \begin{enumerate}
 
# $u=x^2y^3z^4$, \quad $2x+3y+4z=18$, $x>0$, $y>0$, $z>0$;
 
# $u=x-y+2z$, \quad $x^2+y^2+2z^2=16$;
 
# $u=\sum\limits_{i=1}^ka_ix_i^2$, \quad $\sum\limits_{i=1}^kx_i=1$, $a_i>0$;
 
 
==== Typical questions for seminar classes (labs) within this section ====
 
# Let us consider $u(x;y)=\begin{cases}1,&x=y^2,\\0,&x\neq y^2.\end{
 
 
==== Tasks for midterm assessment within this section ====
 
 
 
==== Test questions for final assessment in this section ====
 
# Find all points where the differential of a function $f(x;y)=(5x+7y-25)e^{-x^2-xy-y^2}$ is equal to zero.
 
# Show that function $\varphi=f\left(\frac xy;x^2+y-z^2\right)$ satisfies the equation $2xz\varphi_x+2yz\varphi_y+\left(2x^2+y\right)\varphi_z=0$.
 
# Find maxima and minima of function $u=2x^2+12xy+y^2$ under condition that $x^2+4y^2=25$.
 
# $u=\left(y^2-x^2\right)e^{1-x^2+y^2}$ on a domain given by inequality \quad $x^2+y^2\leq4$;
 
=== Section 5 ===
 
 
==== Section title ====
 
Integration of Functions of Several Variables
 
 
==== Topics covered in this section ====
 
* Z-test
 
* Double integrals. Fubini's theorem and iterated integrals
 
* Substituting variables in double integrals. Polar coordinates
 
* Triple integrals. Use of Fubini's theorem
 
* Spherical and cylindrical coordinates
 
* Path integrals
 
* Area of a surface
 
* Surface integrals
 
 
==== What forms of evaluation were used to test students’ performance in this section? ====
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|+
 
|+
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Activity Type !! Content !! Is Graded?
! Form !! Yes/No
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Oral test || Good or bad interview question? <br> Useful or useless feedback? || 0
| Development of individual parts of software product code || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Workshop || Work on your customer profile using the Persona template. Make a client interview script with the help of the Problem-validation-script. || 1
| Homework and group projects || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Case study || Watch the video with the case study. This is an example of HOW NOT to take a customer discovery interview. Discuss what went wrong? || 0
| Midterm evaluation || 1
 
  +
|}
  +
  +
==== Section 4 ====
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|+
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Activity Type !! Content !! Is Graded?
| Testing (written or computer based) || 1
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Workshop || Estimate your target market using the TAM-SAM-SOM template in MIRO. Explain the data. || 1
| Reports || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Case study || Learn a market sizing case: online babysitting service || 0
| Essays || 0
 
|-
 
| Oral polls || 0
 
|-
 
| Discussions || 0
 
 
|}
 
|}
   
  +
==== Section 5 ====
==== Typical questions for ongoing performance evaluation within this section ====
 
# Represent double integrals below as an iterated integrals (or a sum of iterated integrals) with different orders of integration: $\iint\limits_Df(x;y)\,dx\,dy$ where $D=\left\{(x;y)\left|x^2+y^2\leq9,\,x^2+(y+4)^2\geq25\right.\right\}$.
 
# Represent integral $I=\displaystyle\iiint\limits_Df(x;y;z)\,dx\,dy\,dz$ as iterated integrals with all possible (i.e. 6) orders of integration; $D$ is bounded by $x=0$, $x=a$, $y=0$, $y=\sqrt{ax}$, $z=0$, $z=x+y$.
 
# Find line integrals of a scalar fields $\displaystyle\int\limits_{\Gamma}(x+y)\,ds$ where $\Gamma$ is boundary of a triangle with vertices $(0;0)$, $(1;0)$ and $(0;1)$.
 
 
==== Typical questions for seminar classes (labs) within this section ====
 
# Change order of integration in the iterated integral
 
# Find the volume of a solid given by $0\leq z\leq x^2$, $x+y\leq 5$, $x-2y\geq2$, $y\geq0$.
 
# Change into polar coordinates and rewrite the integral as a single integral:
 
# Having ascertained that integrand is an exact differential, calculate the integral along a piecewise smooth plain curve that starts at $A$ and finishes at $B$: $\displaystyle\int\limits_{\Gamma}\left(x^4+4xy^3\right)\,dx +\left(6x^2y^2-5y^4\right)\,dy$, $A(-2;-1)$, $B(0;3)$;
 
 
==== Tasks for midterm assessment within this section ====
 
 
 
==== Test questions for final assessment in this section ====
 
# Domain $G$ is bounded by lines $y=2x$, $y=x$ and $y=2$. Rewrite integral $\iint\limits_Gf(x)\,dx\,dy$ as a single integral.
 
# Represent the integral $\displaystyle\iint\limits_Gf(x;y)\,dx\,dy$ as iterated integrals with different order of integration in polar coordinates if $G=\left\{(x;y)\left|a^2\leq x^2+y^2\leq 4a^2;\,|x|-y\geq0\right.\right\}$.
 
# Find the integral making an appropriate substitution:
 
# Use divergence theorem to find the following integrals $\displaystyle\iint\limits_S(1+2x)\,dy\,dz+(2x+3y)\,dz\,dx+(3y+4z)\,dx\,dy$ where $S$ is the outer surface of a tetrahedron $\frac xa+\frac yb+\frac zc\leq1$, $x\geq0$, $y\geq0$, $z\geq0$;
 
=== Section 6 ===
 
 
==== Section title ====
 
Uniform Convergence of Functional Series. Fourier Series
 
 
==== Topics covered in this section ====
 
* Uniform and point wise convergence of functional series
 
* Properties of uniformly convergent series
 
* Fourier series. Sufficient conditions of convergence and uniform convergence
 
* Bessel's inequality and Parseval's identity.
 
 
==== What forms of evaluation were used to test students’ performance in this section? ====
 
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
{| class="wikitable"
 
|+
 
|+
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Activity Type !! Content !! Is Graded?
! Form !! Yes/No
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Workshop || Use 3 tools from this lesson's theory that you are least familiar with or have not used at all. From each source, take one insight on the state of your project's market. (For example, the total size of your target market, a leading competitor, number of users, or a growing trend) || 0
| Development of individual parts of software product code || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Oral presentation || Take one tool from the list below and create a “how-to” guide to the service for your classmates. The guide could be done in a form of 1) video-instruction 2) text 3) visualized scheme 4) presentation. The guide must answer how to use a tool and give an example of its use on concrete case study. Studying the guide should take your reader not mach then 15 min. || 1
| Homework and group projects || 1
 
  +
|}
  +
  +
==== Section 6 ====
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|+
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Activity Type !! Content !! Is Graded?
| Midterm evaluation || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Workshop || Exercises: <br> Personal SWOT Analysis <br> List of Personal Achievements <br> Analysis of Motivating Activities <br> Your Personal Vision || 0
| Testing (written or computer based) || 1
 
  +
|}
  +
  +
==== Section 7 ====
  +
{| class="wikitable"
  +
|+
 
|-
 
|-
  +
! Activity Type !! Content !! Is Graded?
| Reports || 0
 
 
|-
 
|-
  +
| Pitch session || The final Market Research report should follow the structure discussed <br> Content of the oral presentation may include: business description, market overview, main sources used in the research, competitors overview, monetization opportunity, market size, further stages of research or business work, team, comments on some challenges during the work || 1
| Essays || 0
 
|-
 
| Oral polls || 0
 
|-
 
| Discussions || 0
 
 
|}
 
|}
   
  +
=== Final assessment ===
==== Typical questions for ongoing performance evaluation within this section ====
 
  +
'''Section 1'''
# Find out whether the following functional series converges uniformly on the indicated intervals. Justify your answer.
 
  +
# For the final assessment, students should complete the Market Research paper.
# $\sum\limits_{n=1}^{\infty}\frac{\sqrt{nx^3}}{x^2+n^2}$, $\Delta_1=(0;1)$, $\Delta_2=(1;+\infty)$
 
  +
# It should follow the market research paper structure, contain information about market volume (TAM SAM SOM), data must be gathered with help of data sources learnt.
# Show that sequence $f_n(x)=nx\left(1-x\right)^n$ converges non-uniformly on $[0;1]$ to a continuous function $f(x)$, but $\lim\limits_{n\rightarrow+\infty}\int\limits_0^1f_n(x)\,dx=\lim\limits_{n\rightarrow+\infty}\int\limits_0^1f(x)\,dx$.
 
  +
# The paper should refer to market potential and give the basis to make business decisions, answer questions on how to start and develop your idea, what is your business model, target customer persona, product MVP etc.
# Decompose the following function determined on $[-\pi;\pi]$ into Fourier series using the standard trigonometric system $\left.\left\{1;\cos kx;\sin kx\right\}\right|_{k=1}^{\infty}$. Draw the graph of the sum of Fourier series obtained.
 
  +
# Grading criteria for the final project presentation:
  +
# Market sizing has been carried out
  +
# Customer segments are named
  +
# Сompetitor analysis has been conducted
  +
# At least 2 prominent data sources are used
  +
# Customer discovery interviews conducted
  +
# Future steps are mapped out
  +
# The final report is visualized clearly and transparent
  +
'''Section 2'''
   
  +
'''Section 3'''
==== Typical questions for seminar classes (labs) within this section ====
 
# Show that sequence $f_n(x)=nx\left(1-x^2\right)^n$ converges on $[0;1]$ to a continuous function $f(x)$, and at that $\lim\limits_{n\rightarrow+\infty}\int\limits_0^1f_n(x)\,dx\neq\lim\limits_{n\rightarrow+\infty}\int\limits_0^1f(x)\,dx$.
 
# Show that sequence $f_n(x)=x^3+\frac1n\sin\left(nx+\frac{n\pi}2\right)$ converges uniformly on $\mathbb{R}$, but $\left(\lim\limits_{n\rightarrow+\infty}f_n(x)\right)'\neq\lim\limits_{n\rightarrow+\infty}f'_n(x)$.
 
# Decompose $\cos\alpha x$, $\alpha\notin\mathbb{Z}$ into Fourier series on $[-\pi;\pi]$. Using this decomposition prove that $\cot y=\frac1y+\sum\limits_{k=1}^{\infty}\frac{2y}{y^2-\pi^2k^2}$.
 
# Function $f(x)$ is absolutely integrable on $[0;\pi]$, and $f(\pi-x)=f(x)$. Prove that \begin{enumerate}
 
# if it is decomposed into Fourier series of sines then $b_{2k}=0$, $k\in\mathbb{N}$;
 
# if it is decomposed into Fourier series of cosines then $a_{2k-1}=0$, $k\in\mathbb{N}$.\end{
 
   
  +
'''Section 4'''
==== Tasks for midterm assessment within this section ====
 
   
  +
'''Section 5'''
   
  +
'''Section 6'''
==== Test questions for final assessment in this section ====
 
# Find out whether the following functional series converge uniformly on the indicated intervals. Justify your answer.
 
# Show that sequence $f_n(x)=\frac{\sin nx}{\sqrt n}$ converges uniformly on $\mathbb{R}$ to a differentiable function $f(x)$, and at that $\lim\limits_{n\rightarrow+\infty}f'_n(0)\neq f'(0)$.
 
=== Section 7 ===
 
   
==== Section title ====
+
'''Section 7'''
Integrals with Parameter(s)
 
   
==== Topics covered in this section ====
 
* Definite integrals with parameters
 
* Improper integrals with parameters. Uniform convergence
 
* Properties of uniformly convergent integrals
 
* Beta-function and gamma-function
 
* Fourier transform
 
   
  +
=== The retake exam ===
==== What forms of evaluation were used to test students’ performance in this section? ====
 
  +
'''Section 1'''
{| class="wikitable"
 
  +
# For the retake, students have to submit the results of the market sizing exercise with the TAM SAM SOM method in the form of a visual framework studied.
|+
 
  +
'''Section 2'''
|-
 
! Form !! Yes/No
 
|-
 
| Development of individual parts of software product code || 0
 
|-
 
| Homework and group projects || 1
 
|-
 
| Midterm evaluation || 0
 
|-
 
| Testing (written or computer based) || 1
 
|-
 
| Reports || 0
 
|-
 
| Essays || 0
 
|-
 
| Oral polls || 0
 
|-
 
| Discussions || 0
 
|}
 
   
  +
'''Section 3'''
==== Typical questions for ongoing performance evaluation within this section ====
 
# Find out if $\displaystyle\int\limits_0^1\left(\lim\limits_{\alpha\to0}\frac{2x\alpha^2}{\left(\alpha^2+x^2\right)^2}\right)\,dx= \lim\limits_{\alpha\to0}\int\limits_0^1\frac{2x\alpha^2}{\left(\alpha^2+x^2\right)^2}\,dx$.
 
# Differentiating the integrals with respect to parameter $\varphi$, find it:
 
# Prove that the following integral converges uniformly on the indicated set. $\displaystyle\int\limits_0^{+\infty}e^{-\alpha x}\cos2x\,dx$, $\Delta=[1;+\infty)$;
 
# It is known that Dirichlet's integral $\int\limits_0^{+\infty}\frac{\sin x}x\,dx$ is equal to $\frac\pi2$. Find the values of the following integrals using Dirichlet's integral \begin{enumerate}
 
# $\int\limits_0^{+\infty}\frac\sin{\alpha x}x\,dx$, $\alpha\neq0$;
 
# $\int\limits_0^{+\infty}\frac{\sin x-x\cos x}{x^3}\,dx$. \end{
 
   
  +
'''Section 4'''
==== Typical questions for seminar classes (labs) within this section ====
 
# Find out if $\displaystyle\int\limits_0^1\left(\int\limits_0^1f(x,\alpha)\,d\alpha\right)\,dx= \int\limits_0^1\left(\int\limits_0^1f(x,\alpha)\,dx\right)\,d\alpha$ if
 
# Find $\Phi'(\alpha)$ if $\Phi(\alpha)=\int\limits_1^2\frac{e^{\alpha x^2}}x\,dx$.
 
# Differentiating the integral with respect to parameter $\alpha$, find it: $I(\alpha)=\int\limits_0^\pi\frac1{\cos x} \ln\frac{1+\alpha\cos x}{1-\alpha\cos x}\,dx$, $|\alpha|<1$.
 
# Find Fourier transform of the following functions: \begin{enumerate}
 
# $f(x)=\begin{cases}1,&|x|\leq1,\\0,&|x|>1;\end{
 
   
  +
'''Section 5'''
==== Tasks for midterm assessment within this section ====
 
   
  +
'''Section 6'''
   
  +
'''Section 7'''
==== Test questions for final assessment in this section ====
 
# Find out if $\displaystyle\int\limits_0^1\left(\int\limits_0^1f(x,\alpha)\,d\alpha\right)\,dx= \int\limits_0^1\left(\int\limits_0^1f(x,\alpha)\,dx\right)\,d\alpha$
 
# Find $\Phi'(\alpha)$ if $\Phi(\alpha)=\int\limits_0^\alpha\frac{\ln(1+\alpha x)}x\,dx$.
 
# Prove that the following integral converges uniformly on the indicated set. $\displaystyle\int\limits_{-\infty}^{+\infty}\frac{\cos\alpha x}{4+x^2}\,dx$, $\Delta=\mathbb{R}$;
 
# Find Fourier integral for $f(x)=\begin{cases}1,&|x|\leq\tau,\\0,&|x|>\tau;\end{
 

Latest revision as of 09:50, 29 May 2023

Market Research for IT Startups

  • Course name: Market Research for IT Startups
  • Code discipline:
  • Subject area: Technological Entrepreneurship

Short Description

This course is for students who see themselves as entrepreneurs. The course is designed for the early development of business ideas and provides methods and guidelines for business research. The course teaches how to assess the potential of business ideas, hypothesis thinking, methods for generating ideas and testing their quality

Prerequisites

Prerequisite subjects

  • N/A

Prerequisite topics

  • N/A

Course Topics

Course Sections and Topics
Section Topics within the section
Ideation tools
  1. Art VS Creativity
  2. Ability to discover
  3. How to generate ideas
  4. Creativity sources
  5. Ideation in groups
  6. Rules for ideation for startups
Market research content
  1. Types of research: primary vs secondary
  2. How to plan a research
  3. Market research chapters content
  4. Frameworks used in a market research (SWOT, Persona, etc)
  5. Tools and sources to conduct a competitors analysis
Customer development
  1. Interviews are the main tool for “Get Out The Building” technique
  2. The "Mum's Test"
  3. Jobs-To-Be-Done
  4. Good and bad interview questions
Market sizing
  1. Market analysis VS market sizing
  2. Sizing stakeholders and their interests
  3. Sizing methods
  4. TAM SAM SOM calculation examples
Data for a research
  1. Sources and tools for competitors overview
  2. Sources and tools for product and traffic analysis
  3. Sources and tools for trend watching
  4. Life hacks for search
Founder motivation
  1. Ways to Stay Motivated as an Entrepreneur
  2. Exercises for founders motivation
Pitch Day
  1. Market research results presentations

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

What is the main purpose of this course?

This course aims to give students theoretical knowledge and practical skills on how to assess market potential at an early stage of an IT startup (or any company) development. The ultimate goal is to teach students to conduct market research for their business.

ILOs defined at three levels

Level 1: What concepts should a student know/remember/explain?

By the end of the course, the students should be able to ...

  • Market research techniques using open data,
  • Typology of market assessment methods,
  • Types of research data and their application,
  • Market research components: competitors overview, value proposition, trend watching, venture status, business models, buyers profile etc

Level 2: What basic practical skills should a student be able to perform?

By the end of the course, the students should be able to ...

  • Methods of ideation,
  • TAM SAM SOM method, 2 approaches,
  • Applied tools and resources for market sizing,
  • Principles to work with business hypotheses

Level 3: What complex comprehensive skills should a student be able to apply in real-life scenarios?

By the end of the course, the students should be able to ...

  • Identify and describe the market
  • Assess market potential for any business idea
  • Conduct relevant market research before starting up a business
  • Use the most relevant and high-quality data for a market research

Grading

Course grading range

Grade Range Description of performance
A. Excellent 85.0-100.0 -
B. Good 70.0-84.0 -
C. Satisfactory 50.0-69.0 -
D. Fail 0.0-50.0 -

Course activities and grading breakdown

Activity Type Percentage of the overall course grade
Paper #0: Market research structure 0-10 scale (costs 10% final)
Paper #1: TAM SAM SOM 0-10 scale (costs 20% final)
Workshops activity 3 points for each of 7 workshops: 1 point=participation, 2 points=discussion, 3 points=valuable results (costs 21% final)
Paper #2: Market research 0-10 scale (costs 30% final)
Final Presentation 0-10 scale (costs 20% final)

Recommendations for students on how to succeed in the course

Participation is important. Showing up and participating in discussions is the key to success in this course.
Students work in teams, so coordinating teamwork will be an important factor for success.
Reading the provided materials is mandatory, as lectures will mainly consist of discussions and reflections not slides or reading from scratch.
The main assignment in the course is Market research paper which is supposed to be useful not only for this course but s a basis for future business oriented courses

Resources, literature and reference materials

Open access resources

  • - article with reflections on the methodology book on the 55 typical business models
  • - a book with instructions on how to communicate with your potential users. How to conduct interviews so that you understand what the client wants to say and not what you want to hear.
  • - the case book on the Jobs To Be Done. With JTBD, we can make predictions about which products will be in demand in the market and which will not. The idea behind the theory is that people don't buy products, but "hire" them to perform certain jobs.
  • A selection of with a summary of key ideas from Harvard Business Review
  • F. Sesno "" - the book on how to get information out of people through questions.
  • a visual guide book to dealing with your inner procrastinator

Closed access resources

  • Crunchbase.com
  • Statista.com

Software and tools used within the course

  • Boardofinnovation.com
  • Miro.com
  • Notion.com
  • MS Teams

Teaching Methodology: Methods, techniques, & activities

Activities and Teaching Methods

Teaching and Learning Methods within each section
Teaching Techniques Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Section 6 Section 7
Problem-based learning (students learn by solving open-ended problems without a strictly-defined solution) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Project-based learning (students work on a project) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Differentiated learning (provide tasks and activities at several levels of difficulty to fit students needs and level) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Contextual learning (activities and tasks are connected to the real world to make it easier for students to relate to them); 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Business game (learn by playing a game that incorporates the principles of the material covered within the course). 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
inquiry-based learning 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Activities within each section
Learning Activities Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Section 5 Section 6 Section 7
Interactive Lectures 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Lab exercises 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
Group projects 1 0 0 0 0 1 1
Flipped classroom 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
Discussions 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
Presentations by students 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
Oral Reports 1 0 1 0 0 0 1
Cases studies 0 1 0 1 1 1 0
Experiments 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
Written reports 0 0 1 0 0 1 0
Individual Projects 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
Peer Review 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

Formative Assessment and Course Activities

Ongoing performance assessment

Section 1

Activity Type Content Is Graded?
Discussion Difference between Art and Creativity. Examples from your personal experience
Tools to manage your attention: work with exercises above
Is it true that an ideation stage is the very first step to take when starting your own business? If not, what needs to be done before?
Idea diary: share your experience, was it useful? How to keep motivation to continue?
Sharing your business ideas: is it risky for a founder? Why?
Name and discuss principles of hypothesis thinking
Name and comment on ideation tool you know. Did you have an experience with it?
Where to take creativity? Your advice
Lets find examples of “Steal like an artist” approach among startups
Create a list of 5 business ideas you have ever had in your mind. Choose 1 and make an exhaustive list of the problems that are associated with the proposed business idea.
0
Workshop Break into teams, choose from the list below 1 tool to work with. Use the templates to create new business ideas. Summarize the results. Share your results and experience of using the template with other teams 1
Exercise Start an "Idea diary" (not necessarily business ideas): create a convenient place for notes (notion, pinterest, instagram, paper notebook, etc.). Note the time/place/circumstances of ideas coming, learn to write down ideas. Draw conclusions from 1 week's work: where, when, how, why new ideas arise and whether you can manage their flow. 0

Section 2

Activity Type Content Is Graded?
Discussion What are the basic steps in market research?
What are the commonly used market research methods?
What research question types can be asked in surveys?
Should startup prefer primary or secondary research?
0
Workshop SWOT analysis: compare your business idea with competitors and market situation
Get familiar with industry trends and reports: Find and create a list of 3 to 5 business research papers or trend reports in your industry
0
Home written assignment Market research doc: create a structure that is:
1-2 pages long
Describes your business idea
Contains the structure of your future research
Contains a list of questions to answer during the research for each chapter proposed
Contains links and references to data sources potentilly interesting to use in a research
Its feasible: it should be a chance you may answer all the questions stated in the doc
The doc format is designed and well structured
1

Section 3

Activity Type Content Is Graded?
Oral test Good or bad interview question?
Useful or useless feedback?
0
Workshop Work on your customer profile using the Persona template. Make a client interview script with the help of the Problem-validation-script. 1
Case study Watch the video with the case study. This is an example of HOW NOT to take a customer discovery interview. Discuss what went wrong? 0

Section 4

Activity Type Content Is Graded?
Workshop Estimate your target market using the TAM-SAM-SOM template in MIRO. Explain the data. 1
Case study Learn a market sizing case: online babysitting service 0

Section 5

Activity Type Content Is Graded?
Workshop Use 3 tools from this lesson's theory that you are least familiar with or have not used at all. From each source, take one insight on the state of your project's market. (For example, the total size of your target market, a leading competitor, number of users, or a growing trend) 0
Oral presentation Take one tool from the list below and create a “how-to” guide to the service for your classmates. The guide could be done in a form of 1) video-instruction 2) text 3) visualized scheme 4) presentation. The guide must answer how to use a tool and give an example of its use on concrete case study. Studying the guide should take your reader not mach then 15 min. 1

Section 6

Activity Type Content Is Graded?
Workshop Exercises:
Personal SWOT Analysis
List of Personal Achievements
Analysis of Motivating Activities
Your Personal Vision
0

Section 7

Activity Type Content Is Graded?
Pitch session The final Market Research report should follow the structure discussed
Content of the oral presentation may include: business description, market overview, main sources used in the research, competitors overview, monetization opportunity, market size, further stages of research or business work, team, comments on some challenges during the work
1

Final assessment

Section 1

  1. For the final assessment, students should complete the Market Research paper.
  2. It should follow the market research paper structure, contain information about market volume (TAM SAM SOM), data must be gathered with help of data sources learnt.
  3. The paper should refer to market potential and give the basis to make business decisions, answer questions on how to start and develop your idea, what is your business model, target customer persona, product MVP etc.
  4. Grading criteria for the final project presentation:
  5. Market sizing has been carried out
  6. Customer segments are named
  7. Сompetitor analysis has been conducted
  8. At least 2 prominent data sources are used
  9. Customer discovery interviews conducted
  10. Future steps are mapped out
  11. The final report is visualized clearly and transparent

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

Section 5

Section 6

Section 7


The retake exam

Section 1

  1. For the retake, students have to submit the results of the market sizing exercise with the TAM SAM SOM method in the form of a visual framework studied.

Section 2

Section 3

Section 4

Section 5

Section 6

Section 7