歷史制度論是一問題意識、方法立場與理論建構三者緊密結合的學派。研究者始自經驗的問題意識，欲解答大問題與真實世界的難題，並由此引導出特定的方法立場與理論建構模式。在方法立場上，歷史制度論者同意質化研究的「因果過程模式」，並運用比較方法進行系統性、脈絡性的歷史過程分析。但歷史制度論者並未拘泥於質化方法的基本教義，面對量化陣營的質疑，反而持開放的立場並提出多元的回應方式。在理論建構上，歷史制度論者具有「中程理論」的共識，並從整體觀點和權力途徑探討制度運作，能結合不同「變」與「常」的成分，發展出各種有效解釋歷史過程的制度變遷模式，不致如理性選擇制度論般，對於長期歷史過程的分析流於線性、簡化。

As a school, historical institutionalism integrates research agenda, theory and method as a whole. Researchers in this field intend to answer “big questions” and to solve real-world puzzles, inducing specific characteristics in their theory and method. In aspect of method, historical institutionalists agree on “causal process model” in the qualitative researches and analyze historical process systematically with the comparative method. Facing the challenge from quantitative researchers, historical institutionalists are not constrained by the fundamentalism of qualitative research and offer plural responses. In aspect of theory, historical institutionalists have consensus on “mid-range theory” and analyze institutions from holism and power approach. They combine elements of “continuity” and “change” to develop various patterns of institutional change explaining the historical process effectively. Their patterns are not similar to the model of rational choice institutionalism, which is too linear and simplistic.