Graduate students embarking on master’s and doctoral studies are often confronted with the philosophical presuppositions underpinning Information Systems (IS) research, and they find this a daunting task. Unfortunately, there is not sufficient teaching material that addresses these topics in an accessible way. Since it has become an expectation to clarify the foundational theory of a graduate essay and to make a theoretical contribution in PhD work, this paper proposes a grid aesthetic based on a critical review of existing frameworks and their axiomatic dimensions. Another gap that is addressed is the absence of Indigenous alternatives in existing teaching material. An Ubuntu alternative is therefore included in the paradigm grid to provide an African perspective on IS research approaches.