The research will be carried out by Queen’s and Ulster universities, and is expected to take a year. It will cover the period 1922 to 1999.
“This is welcome news and I know the two academic institutions will carry out the research with the utmost diligence,” said South Belfast MLA Ms Bradshaw.
“However, through working with the Birth Mothers and their Children for Justice Northern Ireland group, I believe the only logical conclusion from this research will be the recommendation for a full public inquiry.
“The most important thing is all of this are the victims and survivors. They need nothing less than the full justice they are entitled to.”