Holistic Science

Implementation of Repeated Reading Method to Improve Elementary School Students' Reading Comprehension

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the repeated reading method in improving reading comprehension among third-grade students at SD Negeri Gisikdrono 2. The research was motivated by students' low reading comprehension skills, largely due to the lack of parental support for reading activities at home. A qualitative approach was employed, with purposive sampling used to select participants, including a class teacher and students. Data were collected through observation, interviews, questionnaires, and documentation, and were analyzed using descriptive qualitative methods. The results showed that the repeated reading method had a positive impact on students' reading comprehension, especially for those who initially struggled. After practicing repeated reading and answering comprehension questions, students showed noticeable improvement in understanding text content. Additionally, teacher involvement and parental support at home played a significant role in the success of this method. These findings suggest that the repeated reading method is an effective strategy to enhance reading comprehension skills in primary school students.

The Influence of Fast-Food Review Content on TikTok on Brand Image and Consumer Trust in Digital Business Study Program Students, Medan State University

Rosinta Pakpahan, Salman Munthe, Haryadi Haryadi, Miftah El Fikri — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to examine the effect of fast-food review content on TikTok on brand image and consumer trust among students of the Digital Business Study Program, State University of Medan. A descriptive quantitative approach was applied through an online survey; 78 respondents were selected purposively. Data were collected using a five-point Likert questionnaire and analyzed using simple linear regression in SPSS 21. All instrument items were proven valid (r more than 0.1876) and reliable (? more than 0.70), while normality and heteroscedasticity tests showed that the model met the classical assumptions. The regression results revealed that review content had a positive and significant effect on brand image (? = 0.853; t = 11.906; p less than 0.001) and consumer trust (? = 0.938; t = 11.833; p less than 0.001). These findings confirm that students' perceptions and beliefs about fast food brands are more shaped by digital representations than direct experiences. The implication is that industry players need to utilize authentic and informative content on TikTok to strengthen brand image and build trust in the target market.

Development of Rice Field Tourism as an Attraction and Economic Opportunity for the Community in Pematang Johar Village

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to develop rice field tourism as an icon of identity and attraction of Pematang Johar village through an action research approach. Pematang Johar Rice Field Tourism Village is a new tourist destination located in Dusun VI Rawa Badak, Labuhan Deli District, Deli Serdang Regency, on the outskirts of Medan City. This place offers beautiful natural scenery with a stretch of rice fields covering an area of 1,750 hectares which is the main attraction for tourists. The uniqueness of this destination lies in the natural rural atmosphere and various facilities such as bamboo bridges and gazebos that make it easy for visitors to enjoy the beauty of the rice fields without having to step on mud. The presence of this Rice Field Tourism Village not only attracts tourists, but also contributes to improving the local economy through income from the tourism sector.

Utilization of Digital Media in Kitabah Learning: Efforts to Increase Creativity and Writing Productivity

Ahmad Zainul Arifani, Akbar Maulana, Anas Kholil Tanjung, Muhammad Ali Imran — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Due to rigid teaching methods that are not relevant to everyday communication situations, students often find learning to write in Arabic difficult. Using digital media as a learning aid is one solution to overcome this problem. The purpose of this study was to see how the use of digital media such as Google Docs, Canva, and Padlet can improve students' creativity and writing productivity when learning Arabic. This bibliometric research approach analyzed various relevant literature sources, including textbooks, Arabic language education journals, and scientific articles that discuss the use of technology in learning Arabic. The results showed that the use of online applications and original texts from the internet improved students' writing skills. In addition, digital media makes learning more interactive and fun. This makes students' understanding of sentence structures and expressions used in the real world easier. Therefore, the Arabic language curriculum should adopt a digital media-based learning approach as an effort to create more modern, engaging, and contextual learning. This method not only improves students' writing skills but also increases their desire to learn Arabic.

Utilization of Original Texts in Kitabah to Motivate and Develop Arabic Writing Skills

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Arabic writing instruction (kitabah) is often considered difficult by students due to conventional teaching methods that tend to be rigid and non-contextual. This study aims to examine the implementation of authentic content-based writing instruction as an effort to enhance students’ motivation and Arabic writing skills. The research employed a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design, involving two groups of students: experimental and control. The experimental group received instruction using authentic materials such as news articles, advertisements, and social media dialogues, while the control group continued with traditional methods. Findings revealed a significant improvement in writing ability and learning motivation among students in the experimental group. Authentic content was proven to create more relevant, interactive, and meaningful learning experiences, helping students understand the practical use of Arabic in real-life contexts. Therefore, this instructional strategy is recommended for broader implementation in Arabic language curricula at secondary and tertiary educational levels.

Analysis of the Use of the Hand Sign Method in Learning Angklung Music for PGSD Students at Efarina University

Jubelando O Tambunan — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The Kodaly Method especially the hand sign is a learning method which applies codes in the learning process. In this study, this learning method is applied to the sixth semester students of the primary education teacher program in the Efarina University. This study aims to analyse the application of Hand Sign method on the study of music education by using angklung as the musical instrument. A qualitative research method with a case study research design is applied in this study. It is to describe a phenomenon that is the object of the research, namely the hand sign method in learning music with angklung. The objects of this study are the sixth semester students of the primary education program of Efarina University with the total number 25 students. This study reveals that the application of the Hand Sign method in learning music through Angklung is more effective compared to the traditional method that is the reading notation method. It is found that through the method, the students are able to understand the notes and play music with angklung very well.

Curriculum Management at SMP Negeri 1 Biatan: Planning, Implementation, Supervision, and Evaluation

Asmar Baco, Haeruddin Haeruddin, Akhmad Akhmad — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Curriculum management plays a strategic role in ensuring the achievement of quality education goals, especially in remote areas like Biatan. This study aims to describe and analyze curriculum management at SMP Negeri 1 Biatan, encompassing planning, implementation, supervision, and evaluation. This study employed a descriptive qualitative approach with a case study method. Data were collected through interviews, observation, and documentation, then analyzed using Miles and Huberman's interactive analysis techniques. The results indicate that curriculum planning is carried out collaboratively and based on local data, while its implementation refers to the principles of the Independent Curriculum with the application of differentiated learning. Supervision is carried out through regular academic and managerial supervision, and evaluation is carried out to measure program effectiveness and learning outcomes, which are followed up with continuous curriculum improvements. Despite facing limited resources and teacher readiness, SMP Negeri 1 Biatan demonstrates a strong commitment to building an adaptive curriculum management system oriented towards quality improvement. This research makes an important contribution to the development of curriculum management in educational units in remote areas.

The Influence of Economic Growth, Human Development Index and Unemployment on Poverty in Medan City

Rona Riski Harahap, Anggia Ramadhan, Ahmad Fadlan — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to analyze the influence of economic growth, the human development index, and the unemployment rate on poverty in Medan City from 2015 to 2024 using quantitative research methods through multiple linear regression analysis on secondary data from the Central Statistics Agency. The results indicate that partially, economic growth has no significant effect on poverty (Sig. 0.321 more than 0.05), as well as the Human Development Index (Sig. 0.087 more than 0.05) and unemployment (Sig. 0.706 more than 0.05). Simultaneously, these three variables also have no significant impact on poverty (Sig. 0.181 more than 0.05) with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.297, meaning they only explain 29.7% of the variation in poverty levels in Medan City. Therefore, it can be concluded that other factors outside the research model have a more dominant influence on the high poverty rate in Medan City during the study period.

The Role of Christian Religious Education in Encouraging Inclusive Attitudes among Elementary School Students in Indonesia

Eva Saryati Panggabean — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to analyze the role of Christian Religious Education (PAK) in fostering inclusive attitudes in Indonesian elementary schools. Employing a qualitative approach, this research conducts a literature review of various national and international studies and publications. The findings suggest that PAK, when implemented in an open, dialogical, and collaborative manner, has significant potential in shaping inclusive attitudes among students from diverse backgrounds and across different religions. PAK instruction that incorporates multicultural values, tolerance, and anti-discrimination principles has proven to be an effective agent in promoting harmony within diversity and preventing exclusive attitudes. Moreover, collaborative strategies involving different school and community stakeholders are identified as essential to the successful implementation of inclusive education. The study recommends the development of a PAK model that is responsive to diversity and the strengthening of teachers’ capacity as key actors in promoting inclusive education at the elementary level in Indonesia.

Social and Cultural Aspects in Harry Potter Sorcerer’s Stone

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This article examines the social and cultural aspects shown in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. Beyond its fantasy narrative, the novel portrays real-world social issues such as family dynamics, bullying, personal identity, social class, and cultural prejudice within both the magical and non-magical worlds. Through a qualitative approach using library research, this study identifies how social environments, peer interactions, institutional influences, and cultural norms shape character development, particularly that of the protagonist, Harry Potter. The analysis highlights how the novel reflects British cultural heritage, including the class system, educational structures, and traditions, as well as issues of discrimination based on blood status. This study contributes to understanding how popular literature serves as a medium for representing and critiquing social and cultural realities.

The Relationship Between the Human Development Index (HDI) and Poverty Rate in North Sumatra in 2023: Spearman Correlation Analysis

Risca Octaviyani Hutapea, Gizka Triyunita, Sisti Nadia Amalia — Fri, 01 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to analyze the relationship between the Human Development Index (HDI) and poverty levels in 33 regencies/cities across North Sumatra Province in 2023. The background of this research is rooted in the regional disparities in welfare and the strategic role of human development in poverty alleviation efforts. The data used are secondary data sourced from Statistics Indonesia (BPS), comprising HDI scores and poverty rates. The analytical methods applied include descriptive analysis, the Shapiro-Wilk normality test, and the Spearman rank correlation test, which is appropriate for non-normally distributed data. The findings reveal a significant negative correlation between HDI and poverty with a Spearman correlation coefficient of -0.5936 and a p-value of 0.0003. This indicates that regions with higher HDI tend to have lower poverty rates. The results highlight the importance of improving education quality, healthcare services, and living standards as key strategies in reducing poverty. This study is expected to contribute to the formulation of inclusive regional development policies that prioritize human well-being.

Analysis and Simulation of Load Unbalance of Distribution Transformer Feeder Lk.10 in ULP Medan City

Jihan Fadillah Sam, Rahmaniar Rahmaniar, Haris Gunawan — Thu, 14 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Load imbalance in three-phase distribution transformers leads to high neutral currents, increased power losses, and decreased system efficiency. This study aims to analyze and simulate load imbalances on distribution transformers located on Feeder LK.10 at PT PLN (Persero) ULP Medan Kota. Data collection was conducted through field measurements of voltage and current, followed by manual calculations and simulations using ETAP 19. The analysis focused on load imbalance percentage, transformer loading, neutral current, and power losses. Results indicate that several transformers exhibit critical imbalance conditions, with some exceeding 25% load imbalance and significant neutral current. The ETAP 19 simulation results show a high level of accuracy compared to actual field measurements, with an average error below 3%. This study confirms that accurate monitoring and proper load redistribution are essential to maintain distribution transformer performance. The findings are expected to support PLN in improving power quality and reliability in distribution systems.

Implementation of Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis for Outdoor Gear Product Reviews on the Tokopedia E-Commerce Platform (Case Study: Eiger Adventure)

Dhanif Daffa Alfaridzi, Tacbir Hendro Pudjiantoro, Irma Santikarama — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to uncover customer perceptions of Eiger Adventure products on the Tokopedia platform through an Aspect-Based Sentiment Analysis (ABSA) approach. Data in the form of 3,670 customer reviews were collected using web scraping techniques and processed through preprocessing, aspect extraction, sentiment labeling, and classification using the K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) algorithm. The text vectorization process was carried out using the TF-IDF method, while evaluation metrics included accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. The results showed that the most dominant aspects were quality, model, and delivery. Positive sentiment was mostly found in the quality and model aspects, while delivery and size aspects were the main sources of complaints. The classification model achieved an accuracy of 61.6% and performed best in detecting positive sentiment. As an implementation, a web-based system was developed that is capable of conducting ABSA analysis in an integrated and interactive manner. This study concluded that although Eiger products are considered superior in quality, efforts to improve non-product services such as delivery and size information are urgently needed to improve overall customer satisfaction.

The Phenomenon of Beauty Privilege as a Requirement in Job Vacancies

Neti Zunaida Sungkar, Lukman Hakim — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The phenomenon of beauty privilege, an advantage gained by individuals based on their perceived socially attractive physical appearance, is often an implicit or explicit requirement in the job recruitment process in Indonesia. This study aims to explore public responses, particularly job seekers, to beauty privilege as a discriminatory practice that impacts employment opportunities and psychological well-being. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews with seven informants who are active users of platform X, as well as documentation of social media posts related to the issue of beauty privilege. Data analysis was conducted using the Miles and Huberman interactive model and source triangulation to increase validity. The results show that job seekers perceive physical appearance requirements in job openings as a form of discrimination unrelated to competency. The experience of appearance-based job rejections leads to psychological impacts such as low self-esteem and stress. Furthermore, public conversations on platform X reflect collective concerns about recruitment inequities. This study concludes that beauty privilege reinforces social bias in employment and recommends the implementation of inclusive recruitment policies and anti-bias training for recruiters to support equal employment opportunities.

The Influence of Work-Life Balance and Burnout on the Performance of Relationship Credit Employees at PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk, Medan

Sekar Nirwani, Sienny Sienny — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to analyze the influence of Work Life Balance and Burnout on Employee Performance at PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk, Medan. Work Life Balance is the interaction between work and other activities that include family, community, leisure time, and personal development, while Burnout can be interpreted as a syndrome due to chronic stress in the workplace that can be characterized by feelings of exhaustion or fatigue, increased mental distance from one's work or feelings of negativism related to one's work. The research method uses a descriptive quantitative approach. The population in this study were all Relationship Credit employees of PT. Bank Rakyat Indonesia Tbk, Medan and the number of samples used saturated samples, namely 71 respondents. Data analysis used multiple linear regression analysis. Research data were collected using a questionnaire. With a Cronbach Alpha reliability of Work Life Balance of 0.856, Burnout of 0.739, and employee performance of 0.873. The results of the study indicate that: (1) There is a positive and significant influence between Work Life Balance on Employee Performance; (2) There is a positive and significant influence between Burnout on Employee Performance; (3) There is a positive and significant influence between Work Life Balance and Burnout together on Employee Performance.

Design and Construction of a Web-Based MSME E-Marketplace Application Using the Agile Method (Case Study: Kepanjenlor Village, Blitar City)

Ayu Roudhotul Jannah, Agung Brastama Putra, Nur Cahyo Wibowo — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

MSMEs play a vital role in the local economy, yet many MSMEs in Kepanjenlor Village, Blitar City, have not utilized digital technology for product promotion and sales. This study aims to design and build a web-based e-marketplace application to support online product marketing. The approach used is the Agile method with iterative stages: planning, design, development, testing, deployment, and review. System data was obtained through observation and interviews, with design using UML and Figma, implementation using Laravel, and testing using the Black Box Testing method achieving an accuracy score of 92%. The result is an e-marketplace application that supports registration, login, product catalog, ordering, and MSME data management features. This application has been tested and received a positive response, and is considered capable of meeting the digitalization needs of MSMEs in Kepanjenlor Village, Blitar City.

Framing Analysis and Student Perceptions of Israeli Product Boycott Content on Instagram (A Qualitative Descriptive Study of Communication Science Students)

Baby Ayu Claudia, Ilma Saakinah Tamsil — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to analyze the framing and perceptions of Communication Science students regarding content on Instagram boycotting Israeli products. The research method used a qualitative descriptive approach with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews, account observation, and upload documentation, with informants selected purposively. Data analysis refers to the Miles & Huberman model and Entman's framing theory. The results show that Instagram framing constructs a narrative of solidarity and humanitarian values ??that encourage support for the boycott. However, message reception is influenced by media literacy and personal filters, resulting in varied student perceptions. In general, students demonstrated critical awareness of the boycott issue despite varying levels of media literacy.

Opinions of Medan Area University Students on Men Who Use Skincare in The Communication Science Study Program

Gidion Panggabean, Khairullah Khairullah — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

Skincare is no longer exclusively for women, but is increasingly practiced by men, including among college students. However, public acceptance of this phenomenon remains mixed, particularly regarding long-entrenched masculinity norms. This study aims to explore the opinions of students at Medan Area University regarding men's skincare use, focusing on the factors influencing their perceptions. The research method used was exploratory qualitative research, with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews and participant observation of students in the Communication Studies Program. The results show that student opinions are divided into two main groups: those who accept skincare use by men as part of a healthy lifestyle, and those who still consider it contrary to traditional masculinity norms. Factors influencing student opinions include social media exposure, social environment, and individual gender constructs. Despite the growing trend of men's skincare, there is still resistance from certain groups who consider skincare unconventional to masculine identity. Therefore, broader education is needed to change public perception so that skincare can be accepted as a universal necessity, not just as an aesthetic.

An Analysis of the Impact of Web Series in Shaping Consumer Preferences: A Case Study of the South Korean Drama Series Hospital Playlist

Nanda Trecya Sitorus, Selamat Riadi — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

The development of digital technology has changed media consumption patterns, presenting opportunities for web series to shape consumer preferences. Hospital Playlist, a Korean drama with a realistic narrative and humanitarian values, is a successful example of combining quality content and creative marketing strategies. This study aims to analyze the impact of web series on shaping consumer preferences through a case study of Hospital Playlist. The method used was a qualitative case study approach, involving in-depth interviews, social media observation, and content analysis. Informants were selected through purposive sampling with the criteria of having watched at least one season of Hospital Playlist and actively discussing it on social media. The results show that emotional engagement is a dominant factor in shaping preferences, supported by authentic storytelling, authentic characters, and appropriate background music. Cross-platform marketing strategies, including the use of social media and a partnership with Netflix, expanded reach and strengthened audience loyalty. These findings confirm that the combination of a strong narrative, integrated distribution, and emotional engagement is effective in building and maintaining audience interest. In conclusion, Hospital Playlist has successfully become a model for digital entertainment content strategies that are able to shape consumer preferences through an emotional approach and creative marketing, providing important implications for the development of mass communication theory and entertainment industry practice.

Student Perceptions of the Talk Show Program "Ini Talkshow" on Net TV (A Quantitative Descriptive Study of Communication Science Students)

Muhammad Kurnia Habib, Taufik Wal Hidayat — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to determine the perceptions of Communication Science students at Medan Area University towards the Ini Talk Show program on NET TV. This study uses a quantitative descriptive method with a random sampling technique in determining the sample. The study population was 380 Communication Science students at Medan Area University, class of 2022–2024, and a sample of 158 people was obtained. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that overall, the perception of Communication Science students at Medan Area University towards the Ini Talk Show program on NET TV received a positive response. This can be seen from respondents' assessments regarding the quality of the program, both in terms of the presenter and the themes/materials presented. The presenters were considered capable of entertaining the audience, while the themes/materials raised were considered quite entertaining and attracted the audience's attention.

The Impact of Increasing Regional Taxes and Regional Levies on the Original Regional Income (PAD) of Simalungun Regency

Vebby Anggraeni Novita Sari Purba, M. Irsan Nasution — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This research examines the influence of local taxes and regional levies on the Original Local Revenue (PAD) of Simalungun Regency during 2019–2023. Employing a quantitative causal approach, the study utilizes secondary data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) and analyzes it through multiple linear regression. To ensure statistical validity, classical assumption tests such as normality, multicollinearity, autocorrelation, and heteroscedasticity were conducted prior to estimation. The results reveal that both local taxes and regional levies significantly contribute to PAD. Specifically, a 1% increase in local tax revenue enhances PAD by 0.66%, while a 1% rise in regional levies leads to a 12.67% increase in PAD. Together, both factors explain 31.9% of PAD variation, whereas 68.1% is attributed to other sources beyond the model. These findings underscore the importance of strengthening tax collection systems and optimizing levy management to achieve sustainable fiscal capacity at the regional level.

Implementation of Content Marketing and Copywriting on the Instagram Account @vidhacoffee to Increase Brand Engagement

Melly Monica Sibarani, Sabda Dian Nurani Siahaan — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 00:00:00 +0700

This study aims to implement Content Marketing and Copywriting in creating captions on the Instagram account @vidhacoffee to increase brand engagement. The main problem in this study is the low level of audience interaction, as indicated by the low engagement rate before implementation. The type of research used is descriptive qualitative research, with data collection methods through observation, documentation, and distribution of questionnaires to marketing experts. The results show that after the implementation of Content Marketing and Copywriting, there was an increase in the engagement rate, from 0.22% before implementation to 4.61% after implementation. Furthermore, there was an increase in audience interaction in the comments section, indicating that implementing a copywriting strategy in caption creation can increase audience response. This increase indicates that the implementation of Content Marketing and Copywriting can increase brand engagement.