Bandung, 2024 – A student from the Library and Information Science (PSI) Study Program at Fikom Unpad, Allifia Karim Andike, has published a scientific article titled “The Relationship Between the Use of the Wattpad Application and Reading Interest Among Students in Greater Bandung.” This publication examines the role of digital reading platforms like Wattpad in addressing the issue of declining reading interest in Indonesia.
This research was conducted with the support of two supervising lecturers, Prijana, M.Si., and Andri Yanto, M.I.Kom. This collaboration highlights Fikom Unpad’s commitment to fostering student research that is relevant to current digital literacy trends.
The study’s background lies in the popularity of Wattpad as a digital reading and writing application, with the majority of its users being readers. Given the low reading interest in Indonesia, the research aims to investigate the relationship between Wattpad use and reading interest. The core question is: can platforms like Wattpad positively influence reading interest?
To answer this question, the research used a quantitative method with the Pearson Product-Moment correlation test. Data was collected from 406 students from various universities in Greater Bandung (Unpad, ITB, UPI, and Telkom University) through questionnaires distributed on social media and reading communities. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23 software.
The findings show a significant relationship between the use of the Wattpad application and reading interest. Some specific interesting findings include: the correlation coefficient between satisfaction with Wattpad use and reading interest is 0.350; the intensity of Wattpad use has a correlation of 0.209 with reading relaxation; and the preference for reading genres on Wattpad shows a 0.516 correlation with reading stimulation.
This scientific article has been published in Info Bibliotheca Jurnal Perpustakaan dan Ilmu Informasi. The research findings provide valuable insight that digital platforms, while often viewed as distractions, can actually play a role in increasing reading interest, especially among students.
The study aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 4 on Quality Education and Goal 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure. It demonstrates that technological innovations in the reading industry can contribute to improving educational quality and a culture of literacy.
Writer: Ridha Amalia, Nadziva Shaqeena, dan Annisa Dwi Fajriyah.
