Abstract Chapter 6 presents the two methods—identification of axioms for a research enterprise and systemism—entailed within the metatheory. The first focuses on how assumptions are designated to create the foundation for a given research enterprise within IR. Axioms are selected through a process that includes deductive and inductive reasoning. In this way, rigorous standards for designating assumptions are combined with a realistic description of how members of a research community see themselves. The other method, systemism, is a visual technique for conveying theories in a way that facilitates comparison and criticism. Systemism emphasizes completeness and logical consistency regarding cause and effect within and across levels of analysis, along with recognition of how a system and its environment are linked to each other. The chapter also introduces Systemist International Relations (SIR), which includes a method for graphic portrayal of expositions on an individual basis and in combination with each other.