An expert in American political institutions and public administration, Hollibaugh's research interests lie broadly within the spectrum of American politics, with a primary interest in institutions. He investigates how executives and legislators respond to electoral and institutional constraints when choosing individuals to serve in appointed positions, the decisions of appointees and unappointed bureaucrats once in office, and the importance of personality traits in this process. His work has been published in the top journals in both public administration and political science, including Public Administration Review, the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, the American Journal of Political Science, and the Journal of Politics, among others. Additionally, he is a member of the editorial board for the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory.