If you're 1st to act you with a draw you really should be cbetting. I mean you didn't limp 1st in did you?
I think this usually happens when just calling a raise from the blinds. If that's the case, I like a check-raise. If I was the preflop raiser, then I like to c-bet.
In the former case, I think a check-raise is safer and somewhat disguised. I check-raise into a preflop raiser with a wide range of made
hands as well as the draws. If I just come out betting into the PFR, then it often looks like a feeler bet, which will get raised if he has any decent made hand. If he's an aggressive player, he might even raise that kind of bet without a pair (I do this sometimes), because feeler bets usually represent hands that have to fold to any resistance.
In the latter case, c-betting
tells nothing about the hand. I c-bet with nothing, I c-bet with draws, and I c-bet with the nuts. I think going for a check-raise is ok if you also sometimes check-raise with monsters if you made the PFR. I hate check-calling, because it's just asking for another bet on the turn. Another good argument against check-calling is that out of position, the ratio of value from getting a fold versus the value of hitting your hand and getting paid off is higher. In other words, you don't get paid off from hitting your draw as much if you're out of position.